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Bad Bad Bad Bad Bad Bad Bad Bad Bad Bad Bad Bad When you stop smoking, your body sees positive e ects within minutes. THE SOONER YOU QUIT Smoking cessation has benefi ts at every age. However, the sooner you quit, the longer you live, according to a 2013 study in The New England Journal of Medicine. WHEN YOU QUIT AT 30, YOU GAIN 1 0 Y E A R S O F L I F E . WHEN YOU QUIT AT 40, YOU GAIN NINE YEARS OF LIFE. WHEN YOU QUIT AT 50, YOU GAIN S I X Y E A R S O F LI F E . WHEN YOU QUIT AT 60, YOU GAIN THREE YEARS OF LIFE. 20 MINUTES Heart rate and blood pressure drop to healthier levels. 12 HOURS Carbon monoxide level in your blood returns to normal. 48 HOURS Nerve endings begin to regrow, and sense of smell and taste begin to return to normal. ONE MONTH Coughing and shortness of breath decrease. TWO MONTHS Insulin resistance normalizes. THREE MONTHS Circulation improves and lung function increases. ONE YEAR Risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker. FIVE YEARS Stroke risk reduced to that of a nonsmoker. 10 YEARS Risk of lung cancer is reduced to half that of a smoker's, and there is a decreased risk of mouth, throat, esophageal, bladder, cervical and pancreatic cancers. 15 YEARS Risk of coronary heart disease is reduced to that of a nonsmoker's. ✚ BREAKING The consequences of smoking include a higher risk for lung cancer, diabetes, heart disease and many other types of cancer. However, these diseases can take years to develop. So, it can be hard to visualize the long-term consequences of smoking in the face of a severe nicotine craving. When you quit, your body instantly starts to recover from the ill e- ects of smoking. Just like the dangers of smoking, the benefi ts of staying smoke-free accumulate over time. Habits Looking for a primary care provider close to home to help you on your journey to better health? Visit stvin.org or call (505) 913-3000. st vin.org | Fall 2016 HEALTH AWARE 4