Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 31: Long-term use of antidepressants may significantly increase the risk of sudden cardiac death, with the danger escalating based on age and duration of exposure, a new study has revealed.
The research, conducted on 4.3 million residents in Denmark, found that individuals taking antidepressants for one to five years had a 56% higher risk of sudden cardiac death. Those who remained on the medication for six or more years faced an even greater threat, with the risk more than doubling (2.2 times higher).
Age-wise risk variation was also observed:
• Individuals aged 30-39 years with one to five years of antidepressant use were three times more likely to experience sudden cardiac death, and the risk jumped fivefold for those on the medication for six or more years.
• For people aged 50-59 years, the risk doubled after one to five years of use, while those on antidepressants for six or more years had a fourfold increase in sudden cardiac death risk.
What Causes the Increased Risk?
According to Dr. Jasmin Mujkanovic from Rigshospitalet Hjertecentret, Copenhagen, the study highlights a direct link between the duration of antidepressant exposure and the likelihood of sudden cardiac death.
"Individuals on antidepressants for six or more years were at an even higher risk compared to those who used them for one to five years," Dr. Mujkanovic stated.
Researchers explained that in younger individuals (below 39 years), sudden cardiac death is often triggered by heart muscle thickening or electrical irregularities. However, in older individuals, it is more commonly caused by narrowing of heart blood vessels.
The increased risk may stem from the potential side effects of antidepressants, alongside factors like poor cardiovascular health, delayed healthcare-seeking, and lifestyle behaviors linked to depression, Mujkanovic added.
The findings were presented at EHRA 2025, the annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology, where experts emphasized the urgent need for further research to assess long-term antidepressant safety and explore potential preventive measures.