Q: I’m a 66-year-old man who has smoked most of his adult life. Over the years, I averaged a pack a day, slightly more in my earlier years. I have been a nonsmoker now for almost six months. Is it too late for a guy like me, or will I begin to see some noticeable changes in my health?
A: Congratulations on a job well done. Abstaining from smoking for six months is an accomplishment. You’ll be pleased to know that in those six months, you’ve already reduced your risk of health problems substantially. And as time goes on, you’ll definitely continue to see further health improvements.
Some of the changes that occur when you quit smoking may not be very noticeable, but they can have a big impact on your health. The benefits start accumulating almost immediately. For example, just 20 minutes after you quit smoking, your heart rate decreases to a normal level. About 12 hours after you’ve had your last cigarette, the carbon monoxide level in your blood returns to normal. Smoking increases your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke. But, within two to three weeks of saying goodbye to smoking, your risk of having a heart attack begins to drop.
Stick with it, and the health benefits will continue to grow. A year after quitting, your risk of coronary artery disease and coronary heart disease will be half that of when you were smoking. Five years out, your risk of stroke is reduced to that of a nonsmoker. Ten years after quitting, your risk of lung cancer dramatically decreases, and your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat and esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas also decrease.
By the time you’re 15 years clear of smoking, your overall health risks are basically the same as they would have been if you’d never smoked at all. Given the chance, the body is quite remarkable in its ability to repair and restore itself. If permitted a long enough time smoke-free, it essentially reverts to that of a nonsmoker.
In addition to the positive health changes taking place that you may not have been aware of in the past six months, it’s likely there are some you have noticed. In a short period of time, many people see an improvement in their breathing. Shortness of breath and coughing associated with smoking usually go away within about nine months. The ability to engage in physical activity improves, too, and people often feel they have more endurance. In addition, many people who quit smoking experience an improvement in their senses of smell and taste.
The bottom line is, no matter how old you are and no matter how long you’ve smoked, it’s never too late to quit. Six months is a great start. Keep up the good work. Your body will thank you for it.
Steven Ames, Ph.D., Nicotine Dependence Center, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla.
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