Long-term Melatonin Use Linked to Increased Heart Failure Risk
A recent study examined adults with chronic insomnia and found that prolonged use of melatonin supplements is associated with a greater risk of heart failure and premature death.
Background on Melatonin Use
Melatonin is a widely used over-the-counter sleep aid in the United States, with about six million Americans taking it to fall asleep more easily or maintain sleep throughout the night.
Study Findings
Researchers analyzed health data from over 130,000 adults with insomnia who had no prior diagnosis of heart failure. They compared those who used melatonin for more than a year to those who never used the supplement. The study showed that long-term melatonin users were significantly more likely to develop heart failure, require hospitalization for it, or die from any cause within five years.
“Melatonin supplements may not be as harmless as commonly assumed,” said lead study author Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, MD, chief resident in internal medicine at Kings County Hospital and Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, New York.
If future research confirms these results, it may change how physicians discuss the risks and benefits of melatonin use with their patients.
Study Details
- Data sourced from a large international database.
- Subjects: over 130,000 adults with insomnia, no prior heart failure diagnosis.
- Comparison between long-term melatonin users (over one year) and non-users.
- Measured outcomes included heart failure development, hospitalization, and all-cause mortality over five years.
Author’s summary: Long-term nightly melatonin use may significantly raise the risk of heart failure and premature death in adults with chronic insomnia, highlighting the need for cautious use and further research.