Study links melatonin supplement use to 90% higher heart failure risk
Long-term melatonin use may raise heart failure risk by 90% in chronic insomnia patients, a new study finds, urging caution and further research.
A recent study has found that long-term use of melatonin supplements may significantly increase the risk of heart failure in individuals with chronic insomnia. The research, reported by Science Daily and based on data from the global TriNetX network, reveals that those who took melatonin for a year or more were 90% more likely to develop heart failure compared to non-users.
Over a five-year period, the study observed that heart failure occurred in 4.6% of melatonin users, compared to 2.7% among non-users. Additionally, the risk of hospitalization due to heart failure was nearly three and a half times higher (19.0% versus 6.6%) for melatonin users. The all-cause mortality rate was also nearly double, at 7.8% compared to 4.3% among non-users.
Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, a researcher at Columbia University, warns that despite melatonin's popularity as a dietary supplement in the United States, it should be used with caution for long-term insomnia treatment. The study has limitations, such as unknown participant locations and the potential impact of insomnia severity and psychological disorders on the results.
Lead author Dr. Ekenedilichukwu Ndu stresses that the findings raise concerns about melatonin's safety, but acknowledges that the study is observational and does not establish a direct causal relationship. He calls for further research into the supplement's cardiac safety.
Written by urgent.news from Ajel English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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