A Danish study presented at EHRA 2025 is spotlighting potential cardiovascular risks tied to long-term antidepressant use. Led by Dr Jasmin Mujkanovic at Rigshospitalet Hjertecentret, the research examined nationwide health data and identified a link to sudden cardiac death—one of the leading causes of mortality from cardiovascular disease.
Popular Antidepressants Linked to Fatal Heart Events
A national Danish study presented at EHRA 2025 has connected prolonged antidepressant use with a higher risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Led by Dr Jasmin Mujkanovic at Rigshospitalet Hjertecentret, the findings raise critical questions about long-term treatment safety in psychiatric care.
“Antidepressants are commonly prescribed for psychiatric conditions such as depression or OCD,” said Mujkanovic. “These medications can have potential adverse effects such as QT prolongation… which may increase the risk for adverse arrhythmic events, and in rare cases, SCD.”
Age-Based Risk Analysis Reveals Younger Patients May Face Higher Relative Risk
The Danish study analysed national medical records and death certificates from 2010, focusing on individuals aged 18 to 90. Participants were sorted into groups based on whether they experienced SCD and how long they had used antidepressants: either 1–5 years or 6 years or more.
Among those who used antidepressants for 1 to 5 years, the risk of SCD was found to be 56% higher than in non-users. For those with six or more years of use, the risk was more than double—2.2 times higher.
Breaking the findings down by age highlighted even sharper increases in relative risk for younger individuals. Those aged 30–39 who used antidepressants for 1–5 years were three times more likely to experience sudden cardiac death compared to peers who didn’t take them.
The risk jumped to five times higher for those in that age group using antidepressants for 6 or more years. In the 50–59 age bracket, the risk doubled for users of 1–5 years and quadrupled for users beyond six years.
“Within each age group, those exposed to antidepressants had a higher risk of SCD compared to their unexposed peers,” Mujkanovic explained. However, she also clarified, “a 30–39-year-old on antidepressants would still have a lower absolute risk than an unexposed 70–79-year-old. While antidepressant exposure may increase relative risk in younger individuals, their absolute risk remains lower than that of older individuals.”
Expert Commentary Urges Calm and Emphasises Integrated Care Approach
The findings have prompted calls for a more integrated approach to treating patients with mental illness, but not for abrupt changes in medication.“The main takeaway from this study is please do not panic if you are on antidepressants,” said lead researcher Dr Jasmin Mujkanovic.
“Although the study shows that the risk is increased among the exposed, depression is itself an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and SCD… this highlights the need for a more holistic approach to managing mental health as well as cardiovascular health in these patients.”
Cardiologist Dr Cheng-Han Chen, who was not involved in the study, echoed these concerns and emphasised the need to explore underlying mechanisms.
Observational Nature of Study Highlights Correlation
Experts examining the new findings say more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between antidepressants and sudden cardiac death.
“It may be that the antidepressants increased arrhythmias in patients, leading to an increased risk of SCD. However, it is also possible that the underlying depression itself led to increased SCD, through increasing cardiovascular risk factors.” Depression itself is a known risk factor for heart disease, and treatment can improve overall health.
“Untreated depression can increase someone’s risk of developing heart disease… Antidepressant medications can thus play an important role in improving many aspects of an individual’s health.”
Dr Grant R. Simons, not involved in the study, warned against drawing premature conclusions. “Patients should discuss any concerns about their medication with their doctor and not discontinue treatment abruptly,” he said. “It’s important to interpret these findings cautiously and within a broader context.”
Simons also pointed to the observational nature of the data. “It’s possible that other factors related to having a psychiatric disorder and taking antidepressants, such as lifestyle, other medications, or the underlying illness itself, contribute to the increased risk of SCD.”
Further Investigation Required into Drug Classes and Biological Mechanisms
While the study draws a strong association between antidepressants and sudden cardiac death, its observational design means causation cannot be confirmed.
Experts highlight the possibility that external variables—such as illness severity, underlying conditions, or patient behaviour—may have contributed to the observed outcomes.
In addition, the term “antidepressants” covers a broad range of medications, each with potentially different cardiovascular profiles. The results underline the need for further investigation, particularly studies designed to isolate risk levels across drug classes and identify the underlying biological pathways involved.
Conclusion
Clinicians caution against abrupt decisions following the study’s publication and encourage patients to speak with their healthcare providers before altering treatment.“Further research is needed to understand the complex relationship between psychiatric disorders, antidepressant use, and SCD risk,” Simons concluded.