- New research finds a link between using antidepressants and a higher risk of sudden cardiac death.
- Some antidepressant users have an up to five times greater risk of sudden cardiac death.
- Doctors stress that the findings don’t prove that antidepressants cause sudden cardiac death—just that there’s a link.
About 13% of American adults take antidepressants, making them a common prescription medication used to treat anxiety and depression. But new research suggests these medications may come with a serious potential side effect: sudden cardiac death.
For many of the 21 million American adults suffering from depression, these medications are lifesaving, raising a lot of questions about these findings. Doctors say it’s important not to take the latest study results at face value, though.
Meet the experts: Jamie Alan, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University; Cheng-Han Chen, M.D., an interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA; Daniel T. Abazia, Pharm.D., director of the Rutgers/RWJBarnabas Medication-Use Safety and Information Center; study co-author Jasmin Mujkanovic, a student at Copenhagen University Hospital
Here’s what the study found, plus why it’s not recommended that you suddenly stop taking your antidepressant medication based on this.
What did the study find?
The study hasn’t been published yet, but it was presented at the 2025 congress of the European Heart Rhythm Association, which is part of the European Society of Cardiology. For the study, researchers analyzed 2010 death certificate and autopsy report data in Denmark in people between the ages of 18 and 90.
The researchers categorized deaths as being due to sudden cardiac death (or SCD), which is an unexpected death that’s thought to be from a heart-related issue, or not due to sudden cardiac death. They also looked into whether people had filled a prescription for an antidepressant at least twice in one year over 12 years leading up to 2010, and broke down how long they took the medication. (The study didn’t distinguish between types of antidepressants.)
The researchers discovered that people who filled prescriptions for antidepressants for one to five years had a 56% higher risk of sudden cardiac death compared to those in the general population who didn’t take the medication. Those who filled prescriptions for antidepressants for six or more years had a 2.2 times higher risk.
The differences in risk of sudden cardiac death varied by age and how long people took antidepressants, with people taking these medications for longer periods of time being the most at risk. The researchers found the risk of sudden cardiac death increased by as much as five times in some people.
Why may there be a link between antidepressants and sudden cardiac death?
That’s not entirely clear. The study just looked at an association between antidepressant use and sudden cardiac arrest, but didn’t look into why it might exist. It’s also worth pointing out that the results don’t prove that taking antidepressants will raise the risk of sudden cardiac death. Instead, it points to a potential link. One more thing to add: The study didn’t show that the participants actually took the medication or how often they took it. Instead, they used a filled prescription as an indicator of this.
As for why this link may exist, there are some theories. Some antidepressants can raise the risk of developing an abnormal heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia) that could increase the odds of sudden cardiac death, says Cheng-Han Chen, M.D., an interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA. “But depression itself is a risk factor [for cardiac issues] and it could be that the antidepressants are just a marker of having depression,” he says.
It’s also possible that people who are on antidepressants for longer periods of time may also be dealing with a severe underlying illness, or have behavioral or lifestyle factors linked to depression, like being reluctant to see a doctor or having poor underlying cardiovascular health, Jamie Alan, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, points out.
Certain antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or SSRIs, can interact with other medications, including those used to manage a range of heart conditions, which could decrease their effect and raise the risk of heart complications, says Daniel T. Abazia, Pharm.D., director of the Rutgers/RWJBarnabas Medication-Use Safety and Information Center. “They also can interact with medications like certain antibiotics or other types of psychiatric medications and cause an increase in cardiac arrhythmias, which can lead ultimately to sudden cardiac death,” he adds.
Other research has looked into an association between antidepressants and sudden cardiac death and has had mixed findings. An older scientific analysis of Medicaid claims data found that mirtazapine (Remeron) had a “statistically significantly greater” risk of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmia (a heart rhythm disorder) compared to paroxetine (Paxil).
Another analysis of existing data from 355,158 people published in 2021 concluded that there is a “low risk” of sudden cardiac death in people using antidepressants. A 2022 scientific analysis of six studies with more than 2.6 participants found that while there was a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder) in people who took antidepressants, there was no difference in the risk of sudden cardiac death between people who took antidepressants and those who didn’t use the medication.
Worth noting: Research suggests that having untreated depression more than doubles the risk of having cardiac arrest. So, more research with a clearer outcome is needed.
How concerned should people on these medications be?
There’s no need to panic if you’re currently taking an antidepressant, according to study co-author Jasmin Mujkanovic, a student at Copenhagen University Hospital. “The increased risk is most likely multifactorial, and this highlights the need for a more holistic approach to managing mental health as well as cardiovascular health in these patients,” Mujkanovic says.
“Right now, all we know is there is an association,” says Alan.
Dr. Chen agrees. He also points out that most doctors will do baseline cardiac testing before prescribing antidepressants to make sure your heart is in good shape before starting one of these drugs.
What to do if you take antidepressants
If you take an antidepressant and are concerned about your heart health, Abazia says it’s a good idea to bring up your concerns with your prescribing physician or primary care doctor.
“Do not stop taking these without consulting a healthcare provider,” Alan says. Not only is there a chance your symptoms of depression could return if you stop taking your medication, it’s recommended that you take a tapered dose if you’re interested in stopping certain antidepressants to lower the risk of side effects, she points out.
“Much more research is necessary to fully understand the connection between antidepressant use and sudden cardiac death,” Dr. Chen says. “As with all medications, people should discuss with their physician the risks, benefits, and alternatives available before starting its use.”
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