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Melatonin Linked to Heart Failure Risk
10 Sep
Summary
- Melatonin use tied to 90% higher heart failure chance in chronic insomniacs.
- Extended melatonin use linked to hospitalization and death in studies.
- Researchers caution against assuming melatonin is harmless for long-term use.
A new study published by the American Heart Association has raised concerns about the long-term safety of melatonin, a popular sleep aid. Researchers analyzed medical records of over 130,000 adults diagnosed with insomnia.
Their findings indicated that individuals prescribed melatonin for 12 months or more experienced about a 90% increase in the likelihood of developing heart failure within five years. Extended use was also associated with higher rates of hospitalization for heart failure and increased mortality.
While the study highlights a significant association, it does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between melatonin and heart problems. Experts emphasize that more research is necessary to fully understand these potential risks.
This research focused specifically on individuals with chronic insomnia and regular melatonin use, not occasional users. The findings suggest that doctors may need to reconsider how they advise patients on the long-term use of sleep supplements like melatonin.
Experts also note that chronic reliance on sleep aids could signal underlying health issues, such as other sleep disorders or mental health conditions, which themselves may carry cardiovascular risks. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as a primary treatment for chronic insomnia disorder.
