Melatonin is widely viewed as a safe, natural fix for a bad night's sleep. However, a major study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions suggests that taking it long-term may carry serious heart risks.
Key Study Findings
Analyzing five years of medical data from over 130,000 adults with chronic insomnia, researchers compared long-term melatonin users (over one year) against non-users:
- 90% Higher Heart Failure Risk: Long-term users had a 4.6% rate of heart failure compared to 2.7% among non-users.
- 3.5x Hospitalization Rate: Melatonin users were significantly more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure (19% vs. 6.6%).
- Nearly Double the Mortality: Deaths from any cause were higher among long-term users (7.8% vs. 4.3%).
Correlation, Not Causation
Lead researcher Dr. Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi stressed that the study shows an association, not direct proof that melatonin causes heart issues. Key limitations include:
- Unrecorded OTC Use: Over-the-counter purchases aren't always documented in medical records, meaning some "non-users" may have actually been taking it.
- Underlying Health Conditions: Severe insomnia, anxiety, or depression—which themselves raise cardiovascular risk—might drive both melatonin use and poor heart outcomes.
- Missing Dosage Info: The study could not track exact daily dosages or product purity.
What Should You Do?
Sleep experts emphasize that melatonin is designed for short-term fixes (like jet lag), not daily, years-long use.
If you take melatonin every night, consider discussing your heart health and sleep routine with a doctor. Non-supplement approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) and consistent sleep habits, remain safer options for managing chronic sleep problems.
Source: Science Daily
