Long-Term Melatonin Use Linked to Increased Heart Failure Risk
Long-term use of the over-the-counter sleep aid melatonin has been associated with a higher risk of heart failure and early death in adults experiencing insomnia, according to research released today.
Researchers analyzed five years of electronic health records from 130,828 adults, with an average age of 56, and found that individuals who regularly took melatonin for at least a year were nearly twice as likely to develop heart failure compared to those who did not use the supplement. Specifically, 4.6% of melatonin users developed heart failure versus 2.7% in the non-user group. They were also more than three times as likely to be hospitalized for the condition (19% versus 6.6%) and nearly twice as likely to die during the study period. This finding is particularly relevant as melatonin use has surged in recent years, with nearly a third of U.S. adults reporting its use.
The study, scheduled to be presented at an upcoming American Heart Association meeting in New Orleans, does not suggest melatonin causes heart problems, but rather that consistent reliance on the supplement may signal underlying cardiac issues. “Insomnia can increase blood pressure, stress hormones and inflammation,” explained Dr. Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, lead author of the study and an internal medicine resident at SUNY Downstate/Kings County Primary Care in New York City. Experts emphasize the importance of addressing the root causes of insomnia, which can be explored further through resources like the Sleep Foundation. Dr. Martha Gulati, a preventive cardiologist at Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Institute, noted, “If there is harm from a supplement, it means the cost could be far more than simply expensive urine.”
Medical professionals recommend that individuals who have been taking melatonin for sleep for over a year consult with their doctor. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports, nearly 7 million Americans currently live with heart failure, making early detection and management crucial. Researchers caution against drawing definitive conclusions from this single study and emphasize the need for further investigation into the potential side effects of melatonin and other sleep aids.
