Some antidepressant drugs classified as SSRI’s may be linked to heart attack risk says U.K.’s Medicines and healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). According to a new report in the British Medical Journal, such drugs could cause a disturbance in normal heart rhythm.
For their study, the MHRA members reviewed data collected from roughly 38,000 SSRI users in the U.S. They found that those taking SSRI antidepressants were more likely to suffer long QT, or longer periods of time between heart beats.
“Having a long QT interval can potentially increase the risk of a serious abnormal heart rhythm. However, as these abnormal rhythms are very rare, the potential benefits in treating depression would exceed the risk for most patients,” says June Davison of the British Heart Foundation.
“People taking these drugs shouldn’t be alarmed and shouldn’t stop taking their medication without speaking to their doctor. If you’ve got any concerns, speak to your GP or pharmacist.”
by RTT Staff Writer
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