New research says antidepressants taken by millions of Americans are linked to an increased risk of sudden cardiac death.
The findings of the study, presented at the European Heart Rhythm Association’s 2025 Congress, found that individuals who succumbed to an unexpected death caused by a heart-related issue had a substantially higher rate of antidepressant usage.
The researchers looked at data from all deaths in Denmark of residents aged 18 to 90 during a single year in 2010. Among the group of just over 6,000 people who experienced sudden cardiac death that year, a disproportionately high number took antidepressants. However, one demographic, ages 18 to 29, did not show a statistically significant link.
The analysis further broke down those on antidepressant medication into two buckets: individuals who took the medication for one to five years and those who took it for more than five years. Those in the first group were found to have a 56% higher risk of sudden cardiac death compared to those who were not on the medication. However, those in the second group had a 2.2 times (220%) higher risk than their non-medicated peers.
In other words, the study found a higher risk of cardiac death the longer someone was taking antidepressants, said study co-author Dr. Jasmin Mujkanovic of Rigshospitalet Hjertecentret, Copenhagen, Denmark, according to a press release.
“Those exposed for six years or more were at even more increased risk than those exposed for one to five years, when compared with people unexposed to antidepressants in the general population.”
Mujkanovic theorizes that the increase in risk could be driven by multiple factors, like the drugs themselves causing the adverse effects. She also says the exposure time to antidepressants could be an indicator of a more serious condition.
“Additionally, the increase could be influenced by behavioral or lifestyle factors associated with depression, such as delayed healthcare seeking, and poor cardiovascular health,” said Mujkanovic.
In the United States, more than 20 million adults and 3.7 million kids ages 12 to 17 have depression. Across the country, roughly one in eight people manage the condition using antidepressants, Fortune reported.