Being smoke-free decreases your risk of stroke. If you smoke, talk with your health care team about how to quit.
Smoking:
- increases your risk for developing blood clots and causing damage to your blood vessels
- increases your risk of heart disease, chronic lung disease and cancer
- is the most preventable cause of disease and death in Canada
Immediate benefits of quitting
As soon as you stop smoking, you can start to feel better.
- 20 minutes: Your blood pressure and pulse return to normal
- 24 hours: Your risk of heart attack starts to drop
- 14 days: Your blood flow increases. The airways in your lungs relax.
Long-term benefits of quitting
- 1 to 9 months: you cough less and your lungs work better
- 1 year: Your added risk of smoking-related heart disease or stroke is cut in half
- 5 years: Your risk of stroke is the same as someone who never smoked
- 10 years: Your risk of dying from lung cancer is much lower
- 15 years: Your risk of heart disease is similar to a non-smoker
Tips to Quit Smoking
- List your reasons for quitting.
- Set a ‘quit date’ and mark it on your calendar.
- Tell your family and friends about your plan to quit. Ask for their help and support.
- Ask your doctor about counselling, nicotine replacement and medications that can help you quit.
- If you slip up, don’t give up. Keep trying until you can quit for good.
Being smoke-free will benefit your health and the health of everyone around you.
Use a chart like the one found here to keep track of your smoking
Quit Date is:
| Date DD/MM/YY | Number of cigarettes per day | Am I on target? |
Having read the information in this section, consider the following:
- Do I know how smoking increases my risk of stroke?
- Am I ready to quit smoking?
- Do I know where to find help to stop smoking?
- Do I have the support I need to continue being smoke-free?
Where to get more information, help and support:
Canadian Cancer Society – Smokers’ Helpline
Centre for Addictions and Mental Health – Nicotine Dependence Clinic
Health Canada – Quit4Life