A recent study presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s EHRA 2025 conference has raised concerns about the potential link between antidepressant (AD) use and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). The research, which focused on a large cohort in Denmark, found that individuals with a history of antidepressant use faced a higher risk of SCD, a risk that varied based on age and duration of exposure.
Sudden cardiac death refers to an unexpected death, typically occurring within one hour of the onset of symptoms. In cases that are not witnessed, it occurs within 24 hours of the individual being last seen alive. For those under 39 years old, SCD is often linked to heart muscle thickening or electrical issues in the heart, while for older individuals, it is more commonly caused by narrowed blood vessels supplying the heart.
Previous research has already highlighted that people with psychiatric disorders face a higher all-cause mortality rate, including a doubled risk of SCD. However, the specific role antidepressants play in influencing this risk had remained unclear—until now.
The study, which reviewed death certificates and autopsy reports from Denmark in 2010, analyzed data from 4.3 million residents aged 18-90. Of the 45,701 deaths that year, 6,002 were classified as SCD, with 643,999 individuals having been exposed to antidepressants in the years leading up to the study.
The data revealed that individuals with a history of antidepressant use had a significantly higher incidence of SCD compared to those with no such history. This increased risk was particularly pronounced among those who had been on antidepressants for longer periods.
For those exposed to antidepressants for one to five years, the risk of SCD was 56% higher compared to the general population. The risk was even more pronounced in those who had been exposed for six years or more, with a 2.2-fold higher risk. The study showed that individuals aged 30-39 with one to five years of exposure were approximately three times more likely to experience SCD, with the risk rising to five times higher for those with longer exposure.
The study also found that the increased risk varied across different age groups. For individuals aged 50-59, those with one to five years of antidepressant exposure saw their risk of SCD double, while those with six or more years of exposure had a fourfold increased risk. The disparity in risk between shorter and longer exposure periods diminished in older groups, with the most notable differences seen in those aged 40-59.
Dr. Jasmin Mujkanovic, co-author of the study, noted that while the increased risk of sudden cardiac death may be linked to the adverse effects of antidepressants, the length of exposure could also serve as an indicator of more severe underlying health issues. Additionally, factors such as delayed healthcare seeking or poor cardiovascular health, often associated with depression, could further influence the increased risk.
The study suggests that the longer individuals are exposed to antidepressants, the higher their risk of SCD. However, further research is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms behind this association and whether other factors, including lifestyle or behavioral elements, may also play a role in increasing the risk of sudden cardiac death.
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