Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and cardiovascular disease

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibiting drugs (SSRIs) are widely taken for endogenous depression. In addition to depleting the nerve terminals of serotonin they also lower blood platelet serotonin levels. Platelet aggregation is a major component of acute coronary syndromes and platelet-released serotonin causes constriction of diseased blood vessels. Hypertensive subjects possess abnormally responsive blood vessels, thus arecent study in Coronary Health Care, which demonstrated better hypertensive control in patientstaking SSRIs, prompted an examination of the effects of these drugs on the cardiovascular disease process. The effects of serotonin and serotonin depletion upon intracoronary thrombosis, diseased blood vessels, blood platelets and bleeding are discussed with recommendations for future research into the potential cardiovascular benefits of these agents.