Melatonin & Heart Health: Risks and Concerns

Millions of people rely on melatonin as a natural, cheap sleep aid, but a new study suggests the over-the-counter supplement may be linked to an increased risk of heart problems.

The research-recently presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025 and not yet peer-reviewed-found that melatonin users had higher rates of heart failure, hospitalizations, and death compared with non-users.

Experts emphasized, though, that the study does not prove that melatonin causes these heart issues.

To better understand how melatonin might affect the heart,researchers recruited more than 130,000 adults-65,414 who took melatonin for at least a year and an equal number who didn’t. Over five years, they followed participants and tracked new heart failure diagnoses, heart-failure-related hospitalizations, and all-cause mortality.

Researchers found that melatonin users had higher rates across all categories:

* Heart failure: 4.6% of melatonin users (3,021 people) developed heart failure compared to 2.7% (1,797 people) from the control group-about a 90% higher risk.
* Hospitalizations: 19% of melatonin users (12,411 people) were hospitalized for heart failure versus 6.6% (4,309) of non-users, making them 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized.
* All-cause mortality: Melatonin users were nearly twice as likely to die from any cause over the five-year period compared with those who did not take the supplement.

The study’s lead author, Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, MD, chief resident in internal medicine at SUNY Downstate/Kings County Primary Care in Brooklyn, noted that the findings raise important questions.

“Melatonin supplements may not be as harmless as commonly assumed,” he saeid in a press release. “If our study is confirmed, this could affect how doctors counsel patients about sleep aids.”

## Could Melatonin Cause Heart Problems? Here’s What Experts Say

Melatonin, a popular sleep aid, has come under scrutiny following a recent study suggesting a potential link between melatonin use and cardiovascular issues. While the research doesn’t definitively prove melatonin *causes* heart problems, experts say there are plausible reasons for concern, especially for certain individuals.

### Who Might Be at Risk?

According to Dr. Deepak Khandelwal, a cardiologist at Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital, individuals with pre-existing conditions might potentially be more vulnerable. These include people who tend to have higher rates of obesity, are older, or have hypertension, diabetes, or limited physical activity.### Why Melatonin Might Affect the Heart

There’s currently no conclusive evidence that melatonin directly causes heart problems or increases mortality risk. Though, Dr. Eman A. Hamad, MD, a cardiologist and director of the Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Program at Temple University Hospital, explains the potential mechanisms. Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the brain that regulates the body’s circadian rhythm, influencing blood pressure, heart rate, and blood vessel function.”Taking it chronically or in high, unregulated doses could disrupt those normal day-night patterns,” she told Health.

A significant concern is the lack of regulation in the supplement industry. Dr. Hamad points out that melatonin supplements in the U.S.often contain dosages that differ from what’s stated on the label.This could lead to “excessive drops in blood pressure or heart rate in sensitive individuals.”

### The Potential Benefits of Melatonin

Despite the potential risks, melatonin isn’t without potential benefits. Dr. Carol Oen-Hsiao, as reported in Health, notes research indicating melatonin can help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation in the arteries. It can also improve sleep quality, which is strongly linked to reduced stress and increased energy levels.

### How to Use Melatonin Safely

Given the mixed findings, experts don’t recommend completely abandoning melatonin. Dr. Oen-Hsiao advises starting with the lowest effective dose and avoiding nightly use.

If you have concerns, Dr.Hamad recommends consulting your doctor. They can assess your medical history, identify any underlying sleep disorders, and determine if melatonin is appropriate for you.

“To me, it’s a ‘proceed with caution’ finding,” Dr. Hamad stated regarding the recent study. “not a reason for panic, but a reason to reevaluate chronic, unsupervised melatonin use.”

date: 2024-02-29 16:26:00