Considering sleep is crucial for many reasons—including its effects on your mood, energy levels, immune system and even your eyes—sacrificing it is simply not an option.
Related: Cardiologists Say This Bedtime Is Linked to Lower Heart Attack Risk
The study’s data and potential explanations add extra complexity, so Parade turned to cardiologists for a better understanding. Ahead, those cardiologists share how long-term melatonin use may increase heart failure risk, how worried to be and their recommendations.?SIGN UP for Parade’s health newsletter with expert-approved tips, healthy eats, exercises, news & more to help you stay healthy & feel your best self?
Further, cardiologists note that the mechanism or connection between the two—if there is one—isn’t fully understood, but they have theories.
There are three other possible explanations. One is a confounding variable. “People with severe, chronic insomnia (and often stress, depression, pain or sleep apnea) are more likely to take melatonin and already carry higher cardiometabolic risk,” says Dr. Sam Setareh, MD, a staff cardiologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, senior clinical researcher at the National Heart Institute and director of clinical cardiology at Beverly Hills Cardiovascular.
The second possibility he mentions is that taking melatonin at suboptimal times or in higher doses could worsen circadian alignment, autonomic tone and blood pressure patterns. Taking higher doses than necessary could be more common than we’d think, too, since over-the-counter melatonin can vary widely in dose and purity.
That’s a lot of big words to essentially say this: Heart health and sleep health are closely intertwined in many ways, and melatonin use may or may not factor into this.
If You Take Melatonin, How Worried Should You Be?
He adds that the size and consistency of the study justify caution, especially in people who have other risk factors for heart failure, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, kidney disease or other conditions.
Related: Can You Get Hooked on Melatonin? Experts Share the Truth About This Popular Supplement
Dr. Serwer encourages non-pharmacologic options for insomnia, such as meditation, exercise, avoiding caffeine, avoiding bright lights before bed and addressing any mental health concerns. He adds that short-term usage of melatonin hasn’t been shown to have adverse consequences yet, so taking it for a shorter period or less often could be a safer option.Dr. Setareh’s suggestion is similar: “For most users, I advise shifting from chronic nightly dosing to short-term, situational use (jet lag, shift transitions) and, if still needed, using the lowest effective dose—often one milligram taken two to three hours before bed—with periodic attempts to taper off.”When it comes to melatonin use, popping one of those gummies nightly might be harmful long-term—and you don’t have to give it up completely. The data found is discouraging, but it’s only a start. Being mindful of your use is vital.
Up Next:
Next up: ‘I Have Chronic Insomnia—Here’s Everything I Do When I Can’t Sleep’
Sources
Dr. Bradley Serwer, MD, an interventional cardiologistDr. Sam Setareh, MD, a cardiologist and clinical researcherSurvey shows 12% of Americans have been diagnosed with chronic insomnia, American Academy of Sleep MedicineTrends in Use of Melatonin Supplements Among US Adults, 1999-2018, JAMALong-term use of melatonin supplements to support sleep may have negative health effects, American Heart AssociationHence then, the article about this common supplement may increase your risk of heart failure according to cardiologists was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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