4 Nov 2024 • How long does a person need to quit smoking to lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk?

A major study of over 5.3 million people revealed that ex-smokers face different timelines for reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk after quitting.

• Those with fewer than 8 pack-years (PY) saw their risk plummet to levels similar to never-smokers within just 10 years of cessation.
• However, those with at least 8 PY faced a longer recovery, requiring more than 25 years for their residual CVD risk to drop to that of non-smokers.

These findings underscore the importance of individualized management strategies for ex-smokers, particularly those with a heavier smoking history, as they retain a risk profile similar to current smokers for decades after cessation.

Source: JAMA | Read full story