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Lecture Notes

Beginning just 20 minutes after your last cigarette, your body begins to restore itself to its healthy state, so after just 20 minutes your heart rate decreases, which is a good thing; it means your heart's not working quite as hard at rest. Just 12 hours later, the harmful carbon monoxide levels are no longer present in your body. Within a year it should be easier for you to be physically active because your coughing and your shortness of breath decrease. After just one year your risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smokers, and after 15 years your risk of heart disease is the same as a non-smoker's risk. So clearly if you or someone else you know is smoking, it's worth your while to stop smoking or encourage others in your life to stop smoking, if for no other reason than the benefits on cardiovascular health.