A Common Supplement Shows a Concerning Link to Heart Failure

Key Points:

• Preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions suggests that long-term use of prescribed melatonin (over one year) is linked to an increased risk of heart failure and death among adults with insomnia.
• The study, analyzing data from over 130,000 adults across several countries, found an 89% higher risk of heart failure and nearly double the risk of death from any cause within five years for those prescribed melatonin long-term.
• These findings are preliminary, not peer-reviewed, and do not establish causation; limitations include reliance on prescription records without accounting for over-the-counter melatonin use, which may affect the control group.
• Experts emphasize the need for further prospective trials to clarify melatonin’s safety profile, especially given its widespread use as an over-the-counter sleep aid and the lack of comprehensive long-term studies.
• While melatonin is generally considered safe for short-term use (1-2 months), the study raises concerns about potential risks with prolonged use, highlighting the importance of medical guidance and caution.