Stopping smoking is possibly the best thing anyone can do for their health and to reduce the risk of complications after surgery.
The World Health Organisation showed that stopping smoking reduces the risk of complications following surgery by 50%.
Stopping smoking before surgery means your heart and lungs don’t have to work so hard. This makes it easier for your body during and after your surgery. It improves your chances of a smoother and faster recovery and can reduce your amount of time in hospital.
What happens when you quit?
The sooner you quit, the sooner you’ll notice changes to your body and health. Look at what happens when you quit for good.
- After 20 minutes – Check your pulse rate, it will already be starting to return to normal.
After 8 hours – Your oxygen levels are recovering and the harmful carbon monoxide level in your blood will have reduced by half. - After 48 hours – Your carbon monoxide levels have dropped to that of a non-smoker. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving.
- 72 hours– If you notice your breathing feels easier, it’s because your bronchial tubes have started to relax. Also your energy will be increasing.
- After 2 to 12 weeks – Blood will be pumping through to your
heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have improved. - After 3 to 9 months – Any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will be improving as your lung function increases by up to 10%.
After 1 year – Great news! Your risk of heart attack will have halved compared with a smoker’s. - After 10 years – More great news! Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker’s.
Resources:
- Quit Smoking (NHS) – information from the NHS to help you quit smoking for better health
- NHS Smokefree app – this free app allows you to track your progress, see how much you’re saving and get daily support