Fri Nov 07 13:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
A preliminary study suggests a link between long-term melatonin supplement use and increased risk of heart failure diagnosis, hospitalization, and death in individuals with chronic insomnia. The research, which reviewed five years of electronic health records, found these associations even after accounting for other risk factors. Experts caution against the long-term use of melatonin, particularly given the lack of regulatory oversight of over-the-counter supplements and the absence of conclusive data on their long-term cardiovascular safety. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the potential risks of melatonin use.
News Article:
Melatonin Supplements Linked to Increased Heart Failure Risk in New Study
DALLAS, TX – November 3, 2025 – Long-term use of melatonin supplements, a popular remedy for insomnia, may not be as harmless as once believed. A new study, slated for presentation at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2025, suggests a potential link between prolonged melatonin use and a higher risk of heart failure, hospitalization, and death in people with chronic insomnia.
The preliminary research, which analyzed five years of electronic health records, compared individuals with chronic insomnia who had taken melatonin for a year or more to those who had not. The results indicated a significant increase in serious heart-related outcomes in the melatonin group, even after researchers accounted for other potential risk factors.
“Melatonin supplements may not be as harmless as commonly assumed. If our study is confirmed, this could affect how doctors counsel patients about sleep aids,” said Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, M.D., lead author of the study and chief resident in internal medicine at SUNY Downstate/Kings County Primary Care in Brooklyn, New York.
While melatonin is naturally produced by the body and plays a role in regulating sleep, the synthetic versions available over-the-counter in many countries, including the U.S., are not subject to the same stringent quality controls as prescription medications. This means the strength and purity of supplements can vary widely.
Marie-Pierre St-Onge, Ph.D., C.C.S.H., FAHA, chair of the writing group for the American Heart Association’s 2025 scientific statement, Multidimensional Sleep Health, cautioned against the chronic use of melatonin without proper medical indication. “I’m surprised that physicians would prescribe melatonin for insomnia and have patients use it for more than 365 days, since melatonin, at least in the U.S., is not indicated for the treatment of insomnia.”
Researchers acknowledge that the study has limitations, including variations in melatonin regulations across different countries and the absence of data on the severity of insomnia among participants. Further research is needed to confirm the findings and determine whether a direct cause-and-effect relationship exists between melatonin use and heart failure.
The American Heart Association emphasizes that the findings presented at its scientific meetings are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution until published in a peer-reviewed journal.
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