Taking Melatonin Every Night May Nearly Double Heart Failure Risk

A recent study examined adults with chronic insomnia and found that long-term use of melatonin supplements is associated with an increased risk of heart failure and early death.

Melatonin is one of the most widely used over-the-counter sleep aids in the United States; about six million Americans take it to fall asleep faster or stay asleep longer.

Study Findings

Researchers discovered that adults with insomnia who used melatonin for at least one year had a notably higher likelihood of developing heart failure, requiring hospitalization for it, or dying from any cause within five years compared to similar individuals who did not use melatonin.

“Melatonin supplements may not be as harmless as commonly assumed,” says Ekenedilichukwu Nnadi, MD, chief resident in internal medicine at Kings County Hospital and Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, New York.

If other research confirms these results, it could influence how doctors discuss the risks and benefits of melatonin use with their patients.

Research Methodology

The study analyzed health records from a large international database with over 130,000 adults diagnosed with insomnia but no prior heart failure.

Individuals who had taken melatonin for longer than a year were compared to a matched group who had never used melatonin, highlighting the increased risk linked to prolonged use.

Summary

This study raises important concerns about the safety of long-term melatonin supplementation in adults with chronic insomnia, suggesting the need for caution and further investigation.

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Everyday Health — 2025-11-06