United States: A recent research from the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) showed antidepressant use creates an elevated threat of sudden cardiac death among patients. According to the research that Jasmin Mujkanovic from Rigshospitalet Heart Center in Copenhagen led, patients experience elevated risks of heart-related deaths as their antidepressant exposure duration increases, as reported by HealthDay.
Risk Rises With Treatment Duration
The study analyzed Danish adult fatalities from 2010, focusing on individuals who had been prescribed antidepressants and later died from sudden cardiac death—an unexpected heart stoppage usually triggered by heart disease or electrical malfunctions in the heart.
Key findings include:
- 1–5 years of antidepressant use: 56% higher risk of sudden cardiac death.
- 6+ years of use: More than double the risk compared to those who never used antidepressants.
Younger Adults Face Steeper Risk
The risk was found to be particularly elevated among younger and middle-aged adults:
Ages 30–39:
3x higher risk after 1–5 years of use.
5x higher risk after 6+ years of use.
Ages 50–59:
2x higher risk with 1–5 years of use.
4x higher with long-term use (6+ years).
Ages 70–79:
83% increased risk at 1–5 years.
Risk doubles with long-term use.
Still No Clear Cause — But Possible Factors Identified
While the study highlights a strong association, the exact cause remains unclear. Mujkanovic notes that longer antidepressant use may reflect more severe underlying mental health conditions or lifestyle factors tied to depression, which could also influence heart health. The medications themselves may carry side effects that affect the heart’s electrical system or other cardiac functions, as reported by HealthDay.
What’s Next?
The scientific community identifies additional research as necessary to determine the exact mechanisms which cause this risk. The research results emphasize the necessity of cardiovascular health monitoring during long-term antidepressant therapy.
