Study Links Long-Term Melatonin Use to Increased Heart Failure Risk
A recent study on adults with chronic insomnia discovered that prolonged melatonin supplementation may nearly double the risk of heart failure and early mortality. Melatonin is widely used in the United States, with approximately six million people taking it to fall asleep faster or maintain sleep.
Key Findings
- Adults with insomnia using melatonin for over a year showed a significantly higher chance of developing or being hospitalized for heart failure within five years.
- These individuals also faced a greater risk of death from any cause compared to similar adults 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.
If further research confirms these results, it could change how physicians weigh the risks and benefits of recommending melatonin for sleep issues.
Study Methodology
Researchers analyzed health records from an international database, including over 130,000 adults with insomnia who had no prior diagnosis of heart failure. They compared a group using melatonin for more than a year with a comparable group who never used the supplement.
Implications
This study raises important concerns about the safety of long-term melatonin use, suggesting that the supplement may carry previously unrecognized risks for heart health.
Author's summary: Prolonged melatonin use in adults with insomnia may increase the risk of heart failure and mortality, challenging the assumption that melatonin is completely safe for long-term use.
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