Long term effect of smoking

I have been frequently asked the question of “how much the risk of cardiovascular disease will go down if heavy smokers (ie, ≥20 pack-years), stop smoking”.

A new observational cohort study of 8770 participants, former heavy smokers’ risk of cardiovascular disease was significantly lower within 5 years of smoking cessation in comparison to current smokers but remained significantly elevated for at least 5 to 10 years and possibly for 25 years after cessation relative to never smokers.