(NaturalHealth365)  Millions of people pop antidepressants daily, trusting their doctors that these pills will help more than they’ll hurt.  But new research from Denmark has shattered that trust, revealing these common medications dramatically increase your chances of dying from heart problems.

The study tracked over 4 million people and found something deeply disturbing: the longer you take antidepressants, the higher your risk of sudden cardiac death becomes.  We’re not talking about a small bump in risk here.  Young adults face five times the normal risk of their hearts simply stopping.  For many families, this research may finally explain why their loved ones died so unexpectedly.

The numbers that will terrify you

When Danish researchers examined every death in their country during 2010, they uncovered a pattern that should alarm every person taking these medications.  Among 4.3 million residents, they found 6,002 cases of sudden cardiac death – when someone’s heart just stops working, usually within an hour of symptom onset.

Here’s what they discovered about antidepressant users:

• People taking them for 1-5 years had a 56% higher death risk
• Those on them for 6+ years faced more than double the risk
• Young adults (30-39) were three times more likely to die suddenly with short-term use
• That same age group faced a five times higher risk with long-term use

The scariest part?  These weren’t people with obvious heart problems.  Many probably felt fine the day they died.

Dr. Jasmin Mujkanovic from Copenhagen’s Rigshospitalet Heart Center led the research.  “Those exposed for six years or more were at even more increased risk than those exposed for one to five years,” he explained.  Translation: the pills many doctors tell you to take “for life” might actually be shortening that life considerably.

Why young people pay the highest price

Something particularly sinister emerges from this data – younger people face the worst risks.  A 35-year-old on antidepressants for six years has five times the normal chance of sudden cardiac death.  Compare that to seniors aged 70-79, who “only” face double the risk.

This pattern suggests younger hearts are more vulnerable to whatever these drugs do to the cardiovascular system.  Maybe it’s because younger people get prescribed higher doses, or perhaps their hearts are simply more sensitive to chemical disruption.  Either way, it means the very people with the most life ahead of them are being placed in the greatest danger.

Other ways these drugs destroy your health

Sudden cardiac death isn’t the only concern.  Research has documented a laundry list of serious problems:

Many people gain 20-50 pounds on these medications, setting them up for diabetes and heart disease.  Proper sexual function often disappears completely – studies show up to 70% of users experience severe sexual side effects that can persist even after stopping the drugs.

Getting off antidepressants can be a nightmare.  People describe “brain zaps,” debilitating dizziness, and suicidal thoughts during withdrawal.  Some compare it to kicking heroin.

These medications also interfere with blood clotting, increasing the risk of bleeding.  Long-term users often develop brittle bones and fracture easily.  The list goes on and on.

How these pills attack your heart

Scientists are still figuring out exactly how antidepressants kill hearts, but several mechanisms look likely:

These drugs disrupt your heart’s electrical system, potentially triggering fatal rhythm problems.  They disrupt metabolism, affecting blood sugar and weight in ways that strain the cardiovascular system.  Some research suggests they increase inflammation throughout the body.

“The increased risk may be attributed to potential adverse effects of the antidepressants,” Mujkanovic noted.  But he also pointed out that long-term antidepressant use might indicate more severe underlying illness, and depression itself affects heart health through poor lifestyle choices and delayed medical care.

What this means for you

If you’re taking antidepressants, don’t panic and suddenly stop – that can be dangerous too.  But do start asking hard questions.  Why didn’t your doctor discuss cardiac risks?  Why aren’t you getting heart monitoring?  Are there safer alternatives you haven’t tried?

If you must stay on these medications, demand cardiovascular screening and regular heart monitoring.  Fight for the smallest dose that actually helps, and don’t let your doctor talk you into staying on them forever.  If they dismiss your heart concerns, find someone who takes them seriously.

Better ways to feel better without risking your life

Plenty of people have beaten depression and anxiety without pills that might kill them.  Here’s what may help:

• Talk therapy saves lives: Many people see great improvement with cognitive behavioral therapy.
• Get moving: Your brain makes its own antidepressants when you exercise.  A half-hour walk every day can literally change your brain chemistry for the better.
• Eat like your mental health depends on it: Because it does.  Studies show many people with depression are deficient in omega-3s, B vitamins, magnesium, and vitamin D.
• Stop letting stress run your life: Constant stress will make anyone depressed.  Try meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or whatever helps you genuinely relax.
• Get quality sleep: Poor sleep wrecks your mood.  Establish consistent sleep schedules and create a restful environment.
• Build connections: Social isolation feeds depression.  Make time for meaningful relationships and community involvement.

These approaches take more effort than swallowing a pill, but they strengthen your entire system rather than potentially damaging it.

The medical establishment has been far too casual about prescribing drugs that may be killing people.  This Danish study should force a complete reconsideration of how we approach mental health treatment.

Anyone alarmed by these findings and wanting to protect their heart health should know that Jonathan Landsman’s Cardiovascular Docu-Class features 22 experts sharing natural, scientifically-proven strategies for optimal heart health without dangerous pharmaceutical interventions.  These lifesaving insights could help you avoid becoming another statistic in studies like this one.

Sources for this article include:

Escardio.org
BMJ.com
NIH.gov