Does quitting smoking reduce my risk of heart disease?

The good news is that quitting dramatically cuts the risk to your heart, even during the first year, no matter what your age or how long you've been smoking. Even if you've had a heart attack, you'll benefit from quitting; estimates suggest that a woman's risk of having a second heart attack is cut by 50% or more after she stops smoking. Recent American Heart Association guidelines recommend counseling, nicotine replacement and other forms of therapy to help you stop smoking.