Doctor Says Melatonin Has No Proven Heart Risk Despite 130,828-Adult Study Signal
Updated
Updated · Health Essentials · May 28
Doctor Says Melatonin Has No Proven Heart Risk Despite 130,828-Adult Study Signal
2 articles · Updated · Health Essentials · May 28
Michael Hill said current evidence does not prove melatonin causes heart disease, heart failure, palpitations or a faster heart rate, despite recent safety concerns.
A 130,828-adult health-records analysis drove the alarm by finding higher 5-year rates of heart failure diagnosis, hospitalization and death among insomnia patients who used melatonin for at least 1 year.
Hill said that study was observational, so it cannot show melatonin caused those outcomes; he also noted palpitations may instead reflect undiagnosed sleep apnea.
Some randomized evidence points the other way: a 6-month trial in heart-failure patients found improvements, and other research has linked melatonin with lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
Hill urged short-term use rather than months or years, saying persistent sleep problems should be evaluated for causes such as sleep apnea, stress, circadian disruption or insomnia.
Millions use melatonin for sleep, but is it a risky band-aid for a problem better solved without a pill?
With wildly inaccurate doses in U.S. supplements, is the real melatonin danger what's actually inside the bottle?
Long-Term Melatonin Use Linked to 90% Higher Heart Failure Risk: New Study Sparks Safety Concerns
Overview
A new study presented in November 2025 found a significant association between long-term melatonin use and an increased risk of heart failure, especially for those using it over a year. While experts urge the public not to panic, they highlight the need for caution and further research, as the study is observational and cannot prove causation. The findings have sparked discussions about the safety of unsupervised supplement use and the lack of long-term data on melatonin’s effects. Experts recommend consulting healthcare providers before making changes, and stress that more comprehensive research is needed to understand the potential risks.