Did you know that thousands of chemicals are released into your body when you smoke? Damage to your lungs, as well as your heart and other body organs, are just some of the consequences of smoking.

When you quit smoking, however, the benefits are almost immediate. When a person quits smoking, their body begins to heal. Here are just a few of the many health benefits you may gain by quitting smoking today:

1 hour after you quit smoking

The pulse rate lowers and returns to normal in as little as 20 minutes after the last cigarette is smoked. Blood pressure starts to fall, and blood circulation improves.

1 day after you quit smoking

You've already reduced your chance of a heart attack by as much as 36 percent according to.  This is due to less tightness of veins and arteries and higher oxygen levels reaching the heart to help it operate better.

Nicotine levels in your blood have likewise dropped to almost nothing at this point.

1 week after you quit smoking

Smokers who go one week without smoking are nine times more likely to succeed in quitting. You can make it for a lifetime if you can make it for one week.

1 month after you quit smoking

Former smokers may notice less coughing and shortness of breath as their lungs recover and their lung capacity improves.

6 months after you quit smoking

Many people find they are better at handling stressful situations without desiring to smoke.

1 year after you quit smoking

The risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half. After a year, the risk will continue to decline.

5 years after you quit smoking

The arteries and blood vessels have begun to widen again as the body has healed. This widening reduces the chances of blood clotting, decreasing the risk of stroke.

10 years after you quit smoking

Your chances of dying from lung cancer have dropped to those of a nonsmoker. Healthy ones have replaced precancerous cells.

In the Philippines, June is declared National No Smoking Month. The goal of this commemoration is to raise awareness about the harmful consequences of smoking and to encourage smokers to stop.

With so many health benefits when you QUIT smoking, now is the best time to do it. You can contact the Department of Health’s (DOH) Quitline 165364 or simply text 'STOPSMOKE' to (29290)165364. (PIA-NCR)

Sources: medicalnewstoday.com

               healthline.com