Taking Melatonin Every Night? You Need to Know This New Heart Study

 A recent study presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions has sparked public concern over the long-term safety of melatonin, one of the most commonly used sleep aids in the UK and US. While melatonin is generally viewed as safe for short-term insomnia, this new analysis suggests there may be more to the story when it comes to long-term use.

What the New Study Did 🔍

The study examined electronic health records of roughly 130,000 adults diagnosed with sleep problems. The participants were split into two major groups:

Melatonin users: those who took melatonin for at least 1 year

Non-users: individuals with sleep problems who did not take melatonin

The data was reviewed over a five-year period, making it one of the largest melatonin-related analyses attempted so far.

 Key Findings Raising Questions ⚠️

According to the abstract:

1. Heart Failure Hospitalization

Long-term melatonin users were:

3× more likely to be hospitalized with heart failure

(19% among users vs 6.6% among non-users)

2. Higher Rates of Heart Failure Diagnosis

Beyond hospitalization, melatonin users showed:

Increased risk of being diagnosed with heart failure

Higher risk of death from any cause

These findings triggered widespread concern because melatonin is widely believed to be “natural” and harmless.

 The Most Important Question No One Has Answered Yet

Why were some people prescribed melatonin while others were not?

This matters because:

People with more severe sleep problems may also have underlying health issues, including heart conditions.

Doctors typically reserve melatonin prescriptions for people who already struggle with persistent insomnia or have conditions like ADHD.

Severe insomnia itself is linked to higher risks of:

high blood pressure

heart disease

metabolic disorders

depression and anxiety

In other words, melatonin might not be the cause — it may simply be a marker indicating that the person already had poorer health.

Conflicting Evidence: Many Previous Studies Suggest Melatonin Helps the Heart Interestingly, past research suggests the opposite of this new study:

 Some studies show melatonin may:

Reduce inflammation

Improve sleep quality (which helps the heart)

Improve heart function in people with heart failure

Reduce oxidative stress

Act as a protective antioxidant

Other studies found:

Melatonin improved symptoms in heart failure patients

It was safe as a complementary therapy

This contradiction is why the new findings must be interpreted very cautiously.

🩺 Expert Takeaway

While the study raises important questions, experts emphasize:

It does NOT prove melatonin causes heart failure.

It only shows an association, and many other factors may explain the results.

Doctors currently advise:

Starting with lifestyle changes and sleep hygiene

Using melatonin only short-term when needed

Avoiding panic until more rigorous research is published

The AHA findings are more of a warning flag than a verdict.

Bottom Line

The new study raises concerns about potential long-term risks of melatonin, but the evidence is too incomplete to draw firm conclusions. Without dosage data, lifestyle factors, controlled follow-up, and verified user status, the findings remain preliminary.

This is not the end of the melatonin debate —

it’s the beginning of a more rigorous look at a supplement millions rely on.