Taking Melatonin Every Night May Nearly Double Heart Failure Risk
A recent study examined adults with chronic insomnia and found a significant link between long-term melatonin supplement use and an increased risk of heart failure and early death. Melatonin is widely used in the United States, with approximately six million Americans taking it to fall asleep faster or maintain sleep.
Researchers observed that insomnia patients who used melatonin for at least one year were notably more likely to develop heart failure, require hospitalization for it, or die from any cause within five years compared to those who did not use melatonin.
“Melatonin supplements may not be as harmless as commonly assumed,” said Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, MD, chief resident in internal medicine at Kings County Hospital and Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, New York.
This finding could influence how doctors weigh the risks and benefits of melatonin as a sleep aid during patient consultations, if confirmed by further studies.
Study Details
Researchers analyzed health records from an international database encompassing over 130,000 adults with insomnia but no prior heart failure diagnosis. They compared long-term melatonin users (more than one year) with similar individuals who had never taken the supplement.
Summary
Long-term nightly use of melatonin supplements may significantly increase the risk of heart failure and mortality among adults with chronic insomnia, challenging the widespread perception of melatonin as a safe sleep aid.
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