New Study Links Long-Term Melatonin Use to Increased Heart Failure Risk
A recent study indicates that adults using melatonin supplements for insomnia over a long period face a significantly elevated risk of heart failure.
Study Findings
- Melatonin users with insomnia have a 90% higher chance of developing heart failure within five years compared to non-users.
- These individuals are nearly 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure.
- They also have a higher likelihood of dying from any cause over the same period.
Research Details
The research analyzed health records of more than 130,000 adults who suffered from insomnia but had no prior heart failure history. Participants who took melatonin for at least one year were compared to those who never used it.
In the UK, where melatonin is prescription-only, patients with at least two prescriptions filled 90 days apart showed an 82% increased heart failure risk.
"Adults with insomnia who took melatonin for at least a year had a much higher chance of developing heart failure."
"Compared with similar adults who did not use melatonin, they also have a much greater chance of being hospitalized for it or dying from any cause over the next five years."
Melatonin Use in the US
Melatonin is among the most popular over-the-counter sleep aids in the United States, with nearly six million Americans relying on it to improve sleep quality.
Health Warning
Presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025, the study raises concerns about the safety of prolonged melatonin use in adults with insomnia.
Author's summary: Long-term melatonin use in adults with insomnia is linked to almost double the risk of heart failure and significantly higher hospitalization and mortality rates.