As a science editor who follows sleep medicine and cardiovascular research, I watch for studies that could shift everyday choices. Observational findings can point to risks that merit follow-up, especially when a widely available supplement is involved. Evaluating how the study measured melatonin use, which other health factors were considered, and whether biological pathways could link melatonin to the heart will matter for doctors and people deciding how to manage persistent insomnia.
If you rely on melatonin for sleep, this study is a prompt to ask questions with your clinician about long-term strategies. Researchers will need to test whether the association reflects a direct effect, underlying health differences, or other patterns of medication use. Click through to explore the evidence and learn how evolving science might influence safer, more inclusive approaches to treating chronic sleep problems and protecting heart health.
People with chronic insomnia who used melatonin long term had a roughly 90% higher risk of developing heart failure over five years, according to a large preliminary study. The findings do not prove melatonin causes heart problems, but they raise new questions about the safety of taking the popular sleep supplement for extended periods.
