AHA
AHA 2025: Long-term melatonin use linked to higher heart failure risk
Melatonin supplements, widely available over the counter and unregulated in the U.S., are generally considered safe for chronic insomnia. However, a large retrospective analysis to be presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025 suggests careful consideration before recommending long-term melatonin use for sleep disorders. Long-term melatonin use was associated with significantly higher risks of heart failure, hospitalization, and all-cause mortality.
Study details: Using the TriNetX Global Research Network, investigators reviewed five years of electronic health records from 130,828 adults with insomnia (mean age, 55.7; 61.4% women). Patients using melatonin for ≥1 year were propensity-matched to non-users across 40 clinical and demographic variables. Those with prior heart failure or who used other sleep medications were excluded.
Key findings:
- Long-term melatonin users had a 90% higher risk of developing heart failure vs. non-users (4.6% vs. 2.7%)
- Melatonin users were 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure (19.0% vs. 6.6%)
- Risk of death from any cause was nearly doubled among melatonin users (7.8% vs. 4.3%)
Source:
American Heart Association. “Long-term use of melatonin supplements to support sleep may have negative health effects.” News release, Nov. 3, 2025. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/long-term-use-of-melatonin-supplements-to-support-sleep-may-have-negative-health-effects