Adults who take melatonin supplements for more than a year may face higher risks of heart failure and premature death, according to NBC News. The research, based on electronic health records from more than 130,000 adults, found that people who used melatonin regularly were nearly twice as likely to develop heart failure as those who didn’t take the supplement.
Researchers stressed that melatonin itself doesn’t appear to cause heart problems. Instead, chronic reliance on the sleep aid may point to underlying cardiac issues, such as elevated blood pressure or inflammation. “Insomnia can increase blood pressure, stress hormones and inflammation,” said Dr. Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, lead author of the study and an internal medicine resident at SUNY Downstate in New York City.
The five-year analysis showed that 4.6% of regular melatonin users developed heart failure, compared to 2.7% of nonusers, and that long-term users were more than three times as likely to be hospitalized for the condition. The study, which will be presented at the American Heart Association’s annual meeting, has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Experts say the findings highlight a need for more research into the long-term safety of over-the-counter sleep aids. “People should be aware that it should not be taken chronically without a proper indication,” said Marie-Pierre St-Onge, director of the Center for Sleep & Circadian Research at Columbia University.
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