A new study suggests that antidepressants may increase the risk of sudden death due to cardiac arrest.
The European Society of Cardiology presented findings Monday in Vienna that showed people taking mood-stabilizing drugs are more likely than others to die suddenly of heart problems. Their risk increases the longer they take the drug.
Researchers at Rigshospitalet Heart Center, Copenhagen, said that “exposure time to antidepressants is associated with an increased risk of sudden death and linked to the length of exposure.”
Mujkanovic stated in a press release that those who were exposed to antidepressants for six years or more faced a greater risk than people exposed to them for one to five.
Researchers in the new study examined all deaths in Denmark among adults from 2010 to look for those who were taking antidepressants or suffered sudden cardiac arrest.
Researchers said that sudden cardiac death is when a person’s body suddenly stops due to a heart-related issue.
Researchers said that sudden cardiac deaths are more common in younger adults due to heart problems or electrical problems with the heart. Clogged arteries most commonly affect older people.
People who had been taking antidepressants for one to five years were at a greater risk of sudden death by 56%. The risk was more than doubled if the drug was taken for six years or longer.
Researchers found that the antidepressants’ risk appears to be greater for younger people than for older individuals.
The results show that young adults aged 30 to 39 are three times as likely to die of sudden cardiac arrest if they have been taking antidepressants for one to five years, and five times more likely if the drug has been taken for six years or longer.
The risk of suicide in middle-aged people 50 to 59 was doubled after one to five years and quadrupled for six years or more.
Researchers found that seniors aged 70-79 were at an increased risk of 83% for one to five years and doubled for six years.
Mujkanovic says it’s unclear why antidepressants could increase the risk of sudden death from cardiac arrest.
Mujkanovic stated that the increased risk of sudden death from cardiac arrest may be due to antidepressants’ potential side effects. The exposure to antidepressants may also be a marker of underlying illnesses that are more severe. The increase in depression could also be affected by lifestyle or behavioral factors, including delayed health care seeking and poor cardiovascular fitness. “More research is needed.”
The findings presented at medical conferences should be considered as preliminary until they are published in a peer-reviewed journal.