Serotonin isn't just a mood chemical — it may also speed up heart valve damage. Columbia University researchers found that patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) who take SSRI antidepressants and carry a specific genetic variant tend to need valve surgery at a younger age. The findings raise the possibility that a simple DNA test could one day help identify high-risk patients earlier.
Serotonin isn't just about mood — it may also be quietly accelerating heart valve damage in certain patients. A multicenter study led by Columbia University found that reduced activity of the serotonin transporter (SERT) may speed up the progression of degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR), one of the most common forms of heart valve disease. Patients with DMR who took SSRI antidepressants underwent valve surgery at a younger age than those who didn't, and those carrying a specific genetic variant — the "long-long" version of the 5-HTTLPR region of the SERT gene — appeared especially vulnerable.
The research, published in Science Translational Medicine, was supported by animal studies and lab experiments showing that low SERT activity causes mitral valve cells to overproduce collagen, making valves thicker and stiffer. Subsequent studies have extended the serotonin connection to aortic stenosis, and a 2026 meta-analysis reported a significant association between SERT-modifying drugs and heart valve disease overall.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: For the millions living with DMR, this research could eventually reshape how doctors monitor and time surgical intervention — using genetics, not just imaging, to catch dangerous valve deterioration before it's too late.
