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Melatonin plays an important role in regulating the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. The hormone is produced naturally in response to darkness, while synthetic melatonin is often used by people with insomnia.
Many people turn to melatonin as a sleep aid because it is considered a relatively safe option. Yet there is still limited evidence about the effects of long-term use on heart health. The study group wanted to find out whether adults with ongoing insomnia that used melatonin over an extended period had a greater risk of developing heart disease.
from over 130,000 adults that have insomnia. The analysis found that participants that had evidence of insomnia for at least one year of melatonin use had nearly a 90% greater risk of being diagnosed with heart failure over five years than non-users. The melatonin users had almost 3.5 times the risk of needing hospitalization due to heart disease compared with non-users. They also had almost twice the risk of death from all causes during the follow-up period.
Because melatonin is available without a prescription in the U.S, it is widely accessible. The researchers caution that long-term melatonin use could mask an underlying sleep or medical condition. This may delay diagnosis of problems such as sleep apnea, which can affect heart health.
For ongoing sleep problems, simple changes to your sleep environment may help. Wearing a sleep mask can block light and help your body produce its natural melatonin during sleep. You can also use blackout curtains and wear blue-light-blocking glasses for about two hours before bed and if you get up during the night. Even small amounts of light can affect your sleep-wake cycle and make it harder to get a restful night’s sleep.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Multidimensional Sleep Health: Definitions and Implications for Cardiometabolic Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
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