Sudden cardiac death (SCD) happens when the heart suddenly stops beating. It’s a tragic and unexpected event that often comes with no warning.
In younger people under 40, it is usually caused by problems with the heart’s structure or electrical system. In older people, it is often linked to blocked arteries in the heart.
Scientists have long known that people with mental health conditions face a higher risk of dying early—including from heart-related causes. They are also twice as likely to experience sudden cardiac death. But researchers haven’t been sure how antidepressant use fits into this risk—until now.
New research from Denmark, presented at the EHRA 2025 heart conference hosted by the European Society of Cardiology, sheds more light on the issue.
The study looked at the entire population of Denmark and found that people who had been on antidepressants for a long time were more likely to die from sudden cardiac death than people who had never used them.
Researchers reviewed the medical records and death certificates of all Danish residents aged 18 to 90 who died in 2010. They defined antidepressant use as having filled at least two prescriptions in one year during the 12 years before 2010.
Based on this, they divided people into two groups: those who had used antidepressants for one to five years and those who had used them for six years or more.
Out of the 4.3 million people studied, about 46,000 died in 2010. More than 6,000 of those deaths were from sudden cardiac death. Among them, about 2,000 people had used antidepressants.
The study showed that people who had used antidepressants for one to five years had a 56% higher risk of sudden cardiac death compared to those who had never used them. People who used them for six years or more had more than double the risk.
The risk was highest in people between the ages of 30 and 59. For example, in the 30–39 age group, people who had used antidepressants for one to five years were three times more likely to die from sudden cardiac death than those who had never used them. For those who had taken antidepressants for six years or more, the risk was five times higher.
In the 50–59 age group, the risk doubled with shorter-term use and quadrupled with longer use. However, in people aged 70 to 79, the difference between short- and long-term use was smaller. And in those under 30 or over 80, there was no strong difference in risk between short- and long-term use.
Dr. Jasmin Mujkanovic, a researcher from Copenhagen’s Rigshospitalet, explained that time matters. “Those exposed for six years or more were at even more increased risk than those exposed for one to five years,” she said.
It’s not yet clear why this happens. It might be due to side effects of antidepressants on the heart, especially when used for many years.
But it could also be because people who need long-term antidepressants may have more serious mental health issues, which can lead to unhealthy habits like poor diet, little exercise, or missing doctor visits—all of which can harm heart health.
This study offers new insight into the connection between antidepressants and sudden cardiac death. The main takeaway is that using antidepressants for many years may raise the risk of sudden death from heart problems, especially for middle-aged adults.
Still, the study does not prove that antidepressants directly cause sudden death. Instead, it highlights a link that deserves more research. People on antidepressants may already have other risk factors that add to their overall heart risk.
The message for patients is clear: do not stop taking antidepressants without speaking to your doctor. These medicines are essential for many people with mental illness. But it’s also important for doctors to keep an eye on heart health—especially in people who have been taking antidepressants for several years.
More studies are needed to find out which antidepressants carry more risk and why this happens. In the meantime, the best approach is careful monitoring and making any treatment changes under medical supervision.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about a surprising link between alcohol drinking and heart health and both blood pressure numbers can predict heart disease risk.
For more information about heart health, please read studies about a new cause of heart rhythm disorders and eating just one cup of nitrate-rich vegetables daily can reduce heart disease risk.
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