When does CVD risk drop after quitting smoking?
Study provides 'more precise and accurate' figures than previous research
21st August 2019
Long-term smokers who kick the habit will improve their cardiovascular health, but not immediately, according to a study.
Researchers found that the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) declines substantially in the first five years after a smoker stops smoking but does not match the risk of a never-smoker until 10-15 years have elapsed since cessation.
Lead author Meredith Duncan, a PhD student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, said the results showed that within five years of quitting, former heavy smokers had a 39% CVD risk reduction