Heart Risk Cut in Half
Your risk of coronary heart disease is now half that of a smoker.
What happens to your body 1 year after quitting smoking
One year smoke-free is a landmark achievement — and your body shows it. Your risk of coronary heart disease is now roughly half that of someone who still smokes. The arteries and blood vessels have had time to significantly heal, reducing the risk of blood clots and heart attacks. Your overall cardiovascular fitness has improved substantially. This milestone is often when people feel like a completely different person — more energy, better sleep, improved skin, and a dramatically lower risk of the leading cause of smoking-related death.
Frequently asked questions
Is heart disease the biggest risk from smoking?
Yes. Heart disease is the leading cause of smoking-related death, responsible for more fatalities than lung cancer. Smoking doubles to quadruples your risk of coronary heart disease. After 1 year of quitting, that excess risk is cut in half.
What other improvements happen at 1 year?
Beyond heart disease risk, most people experience: significantly better lung function, improved immune response, better skin appearance, more energy, improved sleep quality, and substantial financial savings from not buying cigarettes.