A new study from South Korea reveals that former smokers may need up to 25 years for their heart disease risk to return to normal. Researchers analyzed data from 5.4 million people, including current smokers, former smokers, and non-smokers. The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, highlight the long-term impact of smoking on heart health.
Smoking and Heart Disease: A Long-Term Risk
A South Korean research team, led by Jun Hwan-cho, studied data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service over nearly 15 years. Their research found that current smokers face the highest risk of cardiovascular disease. According to City Magazine, the likelihood of heart problems depends on how much a person has smoked, even after quitting.
The Benefits of Quitting Smoking
Quitting smoking significantly reduces health risks, but recovery time varies. The study found that:
- Lighter smokers saw a reduced risk of heart disease within 5 to 10 years after quitting.
- Heavy smokers took up to 25 years to lower their risk to that of non-smokers.
- The first eight years of smoking were identified as a “point of no return.”
How Long Does It Take to Recover?
The study suggests that if smokers quit before reaching eight years of smoking, they can see faster health improvements. However, heavy smokers needed around 23 to 25 years for their heart disease risk to return to normal.
These findings highlight the critical importance of quitting early. The sooner someone stops smoking, the faster their body can recover, leading to a healthier heart and longer life.
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