7 / 8
crmc.org
7
2
weeks–
15
BLOOD PRESSURE
&
HEART RATE
DROP
.
12
hours
The
balance
of
carbon monoxide
and oxygen in the
bloodstream has
returned to normal.
Nonsmoker
Risk of stroke can fall to about the
same level as a
nonsmoker
.
5 years with-
out smoking
• The risk of heart
attack decreases.
• Lungs are
working better.
Respiratory problems have
started to
decrease
.
after
after
1
year
after
Excess risk of heart disease
decreases to
half
that of a
current smoker.
50
%
BENEFITS QUITTING
OF
10
years
after
1–9
months
after
after
years
The risk of
dying from
lung cancer
declines
to about
50
%
of that of
a current
smoker.
The risk of heart
disease is similar to
that of a
nonsmoker
.
O
2
CO
after
20 min.
after
Risk of
stroke
goes
down.
3
months
after
after
2
years
5
years
Sources: American Cancer Society; American Lung Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
When you give up smoking
Potential risks
There are potential risks to the patient
receiving an LDCT scan. While the
amount of radiation is considerably less
than a traditional CT scan, patients are
still exposed to a high dose of radiation.
LDCT scans cannot tell if an area of
concern is cancerous or not. To find out
if cancer is present, patients may need
additional tests or more invasive ones.
False positives and false negatives can
also occur.
If you think you’re at high risk for lung
cancer, ask your doctor about getting
screened with LDCT.
Additional sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Radiological Society of North America