BLOOMINGTON – Cigarettes are full of chemicals and toxins that can harm every organ of your body – including your brain.
This June, celebrate Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month by starting your journey to tobacco cessation.
“Smoking increases your risk for strokes and vascular disease, which increase a person’s risk for dementia,” said IU Health Community Health Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Kristen Terry. “I know quitting is a challenge, but it’s worth it.”
The body starts to repair itself as soon as a person quits smoking. Some major milestones to keep in mind as you work toward tobacco cessation include:
- Heart rate drops to a normal level 20 minutes after quitting.
- Heart attack risk reduces 12 – 24 hours after quitting.
- Lung function starts to improve 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting.
- The risk of coronary heart disease is half of that of a smoker 1 year after quitting.
- The risk of stroke goes down to that of nonsmokers 5 – 15 years after quitting. And you don’t have to make this change on your own.
“Research shows support helps individuals successfully quit smoking,” said Terry. “And there are people out there who want to help.”
If you want to quit and need some help, call the Indiana Tobacco Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) for free, evidence-based support for tobacco users who want to quit. Visit QuitNowIndiana.com to find out more.
About Indiana University Health
Named among the “Best Hospitals in America” by U.S. News & World Report for 23 consecutive years, Indiana University Health is dedicated to providing a unified standard of preeminent, patient-centered care. A unique partnership with Indiana University School of Medicine – one of the nation’s leading medical schools – gives our highly skilled physicians access to innovative treatments using the latest research and technology. Learn more at www.iuhealth.org.
