A new European study has found that prolonged use of antidepressant medication may significantly increase the risk of sudden death due to heart attacks. The research highlights growing concerns over the long-term cardiovascular effects of these commonly prescribed drugs.
Led by Dr Jasmin Mukanovic from the Rigshospitalet Heart Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark, the study examined nationwide data from adult deaths in Denmark during 2010. Researchers focused on individuals who were taking antidepressants, as well as those who died suddenly from heart attacks, aiming to identify potential connections between the two.
The findings revealed that individuals who had been on antidepressant medication for one to five years were 56% more likely to suffer sudden cardiac death compared to those who had never taken such medication. Alarmingly, this risk more than doubled for those who had been using antidepressants for six years or longer.
“Our research shows a clear association between the duration of antidepressant use and increased risk of sudden cardiac death,” Dr Mukanovic explained. “Those who have been taking these medications for extended periods face significantly higher risks, especially in comparison to individuals who have never used them.”
The study also found that the risk was more pronounced among younger individuals than in older adults, suggesting that age may be an important factor in how antidepressants affect heart health.
