MyHealth.Alberta.ca Network

How your body heals

I am sure you know it already, but your body is a miraculous thing. Within 20 minutes of taking your last puff your body is already at work healing itself to the harmful effects of smoking. See where you are in the healing process.

  • 20 Minutes

    Blood pressure and heart rate decrease.

  • 8 Hours

    Oxygen level goes back to normal and carbon monoxide levels drop.

  • 48 Hours

    Chances of having a heart attack decreases and sense of smell and taste start improving.

  • 72 Hours

    Bronchial tubes have restarted their cleaning mechanism, so breathing is easier.

  • 2 Weeks to 3 Months

    Circulation improves, exercising becomes easier and lung capacity can increase by as much as 30%.

  • 6 Months

    Improvements in coughing, sinus congestion, tiredness, shortness of breath and colds.

  • 1 Year

    50% reduction in risk of smoking-related heart attack.

  • 5 Years

    Risk of having a stroke is now reduced to that of a non-smoker.

  • +10 Years

    Risk of dying from lung cancer will decrease by half.

  • 15 Years

    Risk of dying from a heart attack is the same as a person who has never smoked.