Taking Melatonin Every Night May Nearly Double Heart Failure Risk
A recent study examined adults with chronic insomnia and found a connection between long-term melatonin supplement use and an increased risk of heart failure and premature death. Melatonin is widely used in the United States, with approximately six million Americans taking it to fall asleep faster or maintain sleep.
The researchers observed that adults suffering from insomnia who regularly used melatonin for at least one year had a notably higher chance of developing heart failure, requiring hospitalization, or dying from any cause within five years, compared to those with similar conditions 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.
The lead author adds that if further studies confirm these results, it could impact how doctors weigh the risks and benefits when discussing sleep aids with their patients.
To explore the effects of prolonged melatonin use, researchers analyzed health data from a large international database encompassing over 130,000 adults diagnosed with insomnia but without prior heart failure. They compared individuals who used melatonin for over a year to a similar group that never used the supplement.
Author's summary: Long-term nightly melatonin use in adults with insomnia may significantly increase heart failure risk and mortality, highlighting the need for cautious evaluation of its safety.