Melatonin users have 90% higher chance of developing heart failure, twice as likely to die: New study

Melatonin Users Face Higher Heart Failure Risk, Study Finds

A recent study presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2025 indicates that prolonged melatonin use may significantly increase the risk of heart failure among adults with insomnia.

Key Findings

Adults who used melatonin for at least one year had a 90% higher chance of developing heart failure compared with non-users.
Long-term users were almost twice as likely to be hospitalized or die within five years.
Researchers analyzed the health records of over 130,000 adults with insomnia and no prior heart failure diagnosis.

Data Comparison

Health data showed that long-term melatonin users face markedly greater risks even after accounting for other health factors. In the United Kingdom, where melatonin is prescription-only, individuals who filled at least two prescriptions 90 days apart still had an 82% increased risk.

Extent of Hospitalization Risk

Those who used melatonin for a prolonged period were nearly 3.5 times more likely to be hospitalized due to heart failure compared to nonusers.

“Adults with insomnia who took melatonin for at least a year had a much higher chance of developing heart failure,” the study’s researchers reported.

Usage Context

Melatonin remains one of the most widely used over-the-counter sleep aids in the United States, relied upon by nearly six million Americans seeking better or longer sleep.

Author’s Summary

Prolonged melatonin use, while common for sleep support, may pose significant long-term heart health risks, underscoring the need for careful medical monitoring.

Mint — 2025-11-07