Can too much melatonin harm your cardiac health?
Melatonin, often used for sleep issues, may pose heart failure risks, as per a new study. The study used an international health records database and analysed five years of data from over 130,000 adults diagnosed with insomnia. Experts recommend consulting doctors, especially for long-term users.
The American Heart Association on Monday said researchers analysing health data from tens of thousands of adults with chronic insomnia discovered that those who had been prescribed melatonin for over a year faced a greater likelihood of developing heart failure within five years than individuals who did not use the supplement. The study also found that melatonin users were more prone to hospitalisation for heart failure and had a higher overall risk of death compared with nonusers, according to The Washington Post.
The study, which has not yet undergone peer review, has received mixed responses from both sleep medicine specialists and cardiologists. Experts are advising the public to stay calm while emphasising the need for further research on the long-term use of melatonin.
Muhammad Rishi, an associate professor of clinical medicine and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, who was not a part of the research, said, “The findings are certainly provocative and warrant attention, especially given the widespread perception of melatonin as a benign, ‘natural’ sleep aid.” He added that the study is observational and relies on electronic health record data, which limits its ability to prove cause and effect.
The study used an international health records database and analysed five years of data from more than 130,000 adults diagnosed with insomnia.
