European Society of Cardiology

Antidepressants linked to higher risk of sudden cardiac death

April 21, 2025

Study details: This study, presented at the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) 2025 congress, examined the impact of antidepressant medication use on the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) among 4.3 million Danish residents aged 18 to 90 years. Researchers reviewed death certificates and autopsy reports from 2010, categorizing deaths as SCD or non-SCD. Antidepressant exposure was defined as filling of a prescription at least twice in one year over a 12-year period.

Results: Among the 643,999 individuals exposed to antidepressants, those with 1 to 5 years of use had a 56% higher risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), while those with 6 or more years of use had more than double the risk. Within the antidepressant cohort, there were 1,981 sudden cardiac deaths, compared with 4,021 in the unexposed general population. The increased risk was particularly notable in individuals aged 30 to 39 and 50 to 59 years.

Clinical impact: Careful cardiovascular monitoring is needed in patients prescribed antidepressants, especially those with prolonged exposure. Consider the duration of antidepressant use when assessing SCD risk and explore alternative treatments for patients with high cardiovascular risk.

Source:

(2025, March 30). European Society of Cardiology. Use of antidepressant medication linked to substantial increase in risk of sudden cardiac death. [Press Release]. https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/Use-of-antidepressant-medication-linked-to-substantial-increase-in-risk-of-sudden-cardiac-death