Melatonin Use and Increased Heart Failure Risk
A recent study reveals that prolonged melatonin consumption may raise the risk of heart failure by 90% in adults suffering from insomnia. Those who use melatonin long-term also face a significantly higher likelihood of hospitalization or death within five years compared to non-users.
Key Findings of the Study
- Melatonin is a widely used over-the-counter sleep aid in the United States, with nearly six million Americans using it to improve sleep quality.
- Adults with insomnia who used melatonin continuously for at least one year exhibited a much higher chance of developing heart failure.
- Compared to similar adults who did not use melatonin, long-term users had around a 90% higher risk of heart failure over five years.
- These individuals were also nearly 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized due to heart failure.
- In the United Kingdom, where melatonin is prescription-only, those with at least two prescriptions filled 90 days apart still showed an 82% increased risk of heart failure.
Research Methodology
Researchers analyzed health records of over 130,000 adults diagnosed with insomnia but with no previous heart failure history. They compared long-term melatonin users to non-users, focusing on outcomes such as heart failure development, hospitalization, and mortality within five years.
"Adults with insomnia who took melatonin for at least a year had a much higher chance of developing heart failure," the study presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2025 stated.
"Long-term users were nearly 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure compared with nonusers."
Melatonin’s growing popularity as a sleep aid calls for caution due to these potentially serious cardiovascular risks linked to extended use.
Author's Summary
Long-term melatonin use in adults with insomnia is associated with significantly increased risks of heart failure, hospitalization, and death within five years, highlighting a need for caution.