HEALTH-FITNESS

Health benefits begin soon after you quit smoking

NHRMC will offer classes, including one Thursday evening, to help you get there

Allison Ballard Port City Life Staff
Smoking declined from 20.9 percent of the population in 2005 to 15.5 in 2016. But that means almost 38 million adults still smoke. [SHUTTERSTOCK]

Smokers usually hear about the risks of smoking. It’s on warning labels and in doctors’ offices. After all, it harms nearly every organ in the body and is connected to a host of diseases, according to the American Lung Association. These dangers are reiterated at free classes hosted by New Hanover Regional Medical Center, including one this evening.

But the instructors will also present another viewpoint, the benefits of quitting. It’s more optimistic mindset -- and one that may encourage smokers to know putting down cigarettes can begin to make them healthier almost right away.

“After just 20 minutes, your blood pressure and heart rate decreases. Within a month, lung function can improve,” said Rachel Thomas, a pharmacist who will teach the class with Tony Bollhorst, a respiratory therapist. They both work on an individual basis with patients who want to quit, but are now presenting a revamped program that will be offered three times this year.

There are fewer smokers now in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking declined from 20.9 percent of the population in 2005 to 15.5 in 2016. But that means almost 38 million adults still smoke. The NHRMC hopes to reduce that number.

Thomas said that in classes like this, she sees both smokers who want more information, and those who have tried to quit in the past. The instructors will also cover behavior modification and nicotine replacement therapies.

“We will help identify triggers,” she said. Knowing those can that can lead to lifestyle changes to help with quitting and having more information can increase chances of success.

“We want to support our community,” she said. “We can help smokers know the importance of why they want to quit."

What happens when you quit smoking?

Your body begins to repair the damage from smoking soon after you quit and those advantages increase with time. Here’s a closer look, with information from the National Cancer Institute and the UNC School of Medicine.

After 20 minutes: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop to a normal level.

After 8 hours: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops.

After 24 hours: Your ability to smell and taste is enhanced.

After 72 hours: Your lung capacity increases.

After 2 weeks to 3 months: Your risk of having a heart attack begins to drop.

After 1-9 months: Cilia regrow in your lungs.

After 1 year: Your risk of heart disease rate is halfway back to that of a nonsmoker.

After 5 years: Lung cancer death rate decreases to halfway back to that of nonsmokers.

After 10 years: Precancerous cells are replaced.

After 15 Years: Your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as that of a nonsmoker.

Want to Go?

What: One-hour class covering the health effects of quitting smoking and information about nicotine replacement. Participants get a coupon for nicotine patches, gum and lozenges.

When: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at Cape Fear Heart Associates, 1415 Physicians Dr. in Wilmington. Other sessions: 6-7 p.m. Thursday, July 19, and Thursday, Nov. 15. 

Cost: Free.

Registration: 910-264-9200.