- Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is responsible for about Half of All Deaths Caused by Cardiovascular Disease.
- Past Studies Show A Link Between Som Antidepressant Medications to a High Risk of Cardiovascular Issues Like SCD.
- A New Study Further Confirms that Antidepressant Use May increased to Person’s Risk for Scd, with Differences Between Age Groups and Years of Medication Use.
Past Research Shows That
SCD Occurs When A person experienced Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) – where their heart suddenly Stops pumping – is not treated Successfully, and usually Happens Within 1 Hour of Disease Symptoms Occurring.
People with Heart Disease Are Also at an Increased Risk of Developing Depression, and Sub Sudi Further Show That Depression is a
Previous Research Has Moreover Suggesta Duat Som Antidepressant Medications are Associated With A Higher Risk of Cardiovascular Issues, Including
“Antidepressants are commonly prescribed for psychiatric condition such depression or ocd,” Jasmin Mujkanovic, MD, A Doctoral Researchr in the Department of Cardiology at Rigspititalet HjerTret in Denmark Told Medical News Today.
“BeSe Medications can have potential adverse effects Such as Qt Prolongation (When the Heart Muscle Takes Longer to Contract and Relax), which May increased The Risk For Adverse Arhythmic Events, and in Rare Cases, scd. Risk Factor for SCD/Cardiovascular Disease. ”
– Jasmin Mujkanovic, MD
Mujkanovic is the first author of a new study Recently present at EHRA 2025, The Scientific Congress of the European Society of Cardiology, which Further confirmed conflicts that antidepressant uses may increased to Person’s Risk for Scd, and Differes Between Age Groups and Years of Medication Use.
1-YEAR ANTIDESANT USE LINKED TO 56% INCREASED RISK OF SCD
For This Study, Mujkanovic and His Team Analyzed Medical Information and Death Certificates for Denmark Adult Residents Between The Ages of 18 and 90 in 2010.
Researchers categorized participants by whether or not they had experienced scd, and by their antidepressant medication use – Between 1 and 5 Years, or 6 Years and Longer.
At the study’s conclusion, Found that participants who used antidepressants for a period of 1 to 5 years had 56% increased risk of scd.
Participants who used antidepssants for 6 or more years had 2.2 Times Higher Risk for SCD.
“The meaning of these findings suggest that longer exposure time increases the risk for scd,” Mujkanovic Said. “However, it is important to be cautiotic when interpreting This. Longer Duration Might Reflect More Severe or persistent depression, which itself contributes to cardiovascular risk.
High SCD INCENDENCE RATE FOR THOSE TAKING ANTIDEPRESSONTS FOR 6+ YARS
When Breaking Down Study Results By Age Groups, Researchers Found Sub Differences in Antidepressant Use and Scd Risk.
For Participants Between The Ages of 30–39, Those Who Used Antidepressants for 1 to 5 Years were Three Times More Likely to Experience Scd Than Those Who Did Not Take The Medications. This Risk Increased To Five Times Higher if they used antidepressants for 6 or more years.
In the 50-59 Age Group, 1 to Five Years Use of Antidepressant Medications Doubled ES SCD Risk, and Quadrupled for Thue using the Drugs for 6 Or More Years.
And when looking at participants Between The Ages of 40 to 79, Scientists Found their SCD INCIDENCE RATE RATIO WAS WASAN HIGHER FOR THOSE WHHO USED ANTIDEPRESSANTS FOR 6 YEARS OR MORE COMPARTED TO THOSE WHO USED THEM FOR 1 TO 5 Years.
“Within Each Age Group, Those Exposed to Antidepressants had a Higher Risk of Scd, Combased toS Unexposed Peers,” MUJKANOVIC EXPLAINED.
“However, Overall, at 30-39 Year Old on Antidepressants Would Still Have a Lower Absolute Risk Than An Unexposed 70-79 Year Old,“ HE NOTED. “This is Largely Due to Competing Risk, as Baseline Risk for Scd Increases with Age.
However, Mujkanovic Also Provid Sub Reassurance:
“The Main Takeoway (From This Study) is please Multifactorial, and This Highlights The Need for a More Holistic Approach To Managing Mental Health as Well As Cardiovascular Health in these Patients. ”
Why might antidepressant use contribute to Heart Problems?
MNT Had the Opportunity To Speak With Cheng-Han Chen, MD, A Board-Certified Insteentional Cardiologist and Medical Director of the Structural Heart Program at Memorialcare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA, About This Study.
“This Study Found An Association Between Antidepressant Use and Future Risk of Scd,” Chen, Who Was Not Involved in the Research, Commented. “As this was to Population Study, The Direction of Causality Cannot Be Determined.”
“It may be that the antidepressants increased arrhyythmias in patients, leading to an increased risk of scd,” He Hypothesized. “However, it is also possessible that the underlying depression itself led to increased scd, this cardiovascular increase risk factor.
“There is a close Relationship Between Depression and Other Areas of a Person Health, Such As Their Heart Health,” I have continued.
“Untread Depression Can increased Subeone’s Risk of Developing Heart Disease, and Many People With Heart Disease Experience Depression,” Chen Further Explained. “Antidepressant Medications Can Thus play an important role in improving many aspects of an individual’s health. Future Research is Needed to determine the mechanisms by Which antidepressnts might increased sumone’s risk of scd.”
Should You Werry About Antidepressant Use?
MNT Also Spoke with Grant R. Simons, MD, Chief of Heart Rhythm Services at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, Not Involved in the Study, About This Research.
Simons Commented That While The Findings Might Seem Alarming at First Glance, It is crucial to the Limitations of Observational Studies and Avoid Jumping to conclusions about causality.
“Further Research is Needed to Understand The Complex Relationship Between Psychiatric Disorders, Antidepressant Use, and Scd Risk,” I have continued. “Patients Should Discuss Any Concerns About Their Medication with their Doctor and Not Discontinue Treatment Abruptly. Context. ”
For Example, Simons Said The Study Shows An Association, not needed Link, and This Research Needs to be examined for whether it differentiates Between Classses of Antidepressants.
“It’s a positive that other factories related to Having to Psychiatric Disorder and Taking Antidepressants, Such as Lifestyle, Other Medications, or The Underlying Illness Iself, contribute to the Increased Risk of Scd,” I have continued. “For Example, it is important to pick up that the use of antidepressants for longer periods of time may be a marker for other risk factors for Sudden death. The Study May have controlled for sum of these, but it’s difficult to account for everyTHING.
“It’s Important to see How This Study Aligns with Previous Research on This Topic,” Simons Added. “If other studies have shown similar Findings, It Strengthens the Evidence. If This Study Contradicts Previous Research, More Investigation is Needed.”
