Yes, melatonin can cause heart palpitations, especially at higher doses, with reports of irregular heartbeats (like PVCs) and even ventricular arrhythmias in some individuals, though it's not a widely recognized common side effect and often linked to higher intake or underlying heart conditions. While melatonin has complex cardiovascular effects, with some studies suggesting benefits, reports show symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, and even slow heart rate (bradycardia) disappearing after stopping the supplement.
Sleep Medications Containing Melatonin can Potentially Induce Ventricular Arrhythmias in Structurally Normal Hearts: A 2-Patient Report - PMC.
The main analysis found: Among adults with insomnia, those whose electronic health records indicated long-term melatonin use (12 months or more) had about a 90% higher chance of incident heart failure over 5 years compared with matched non-users (4.6% vs. 2.7%, respectively).
What are the side effects of taking melatonin?
Signs of melatonin overdose include excessive sleepiness, vomiting and trouble breathing. Other side effects of both low and high doses of melatonin can include headaches, excessive sleepiness, blood pressure changes, gastrointestinal problems, changes in other hormone levels and mood problems, McCall says.
Melatonin is safe for short-term use and can be helpful for sleep issues. Long-term use of melatonin may lead to decreased effectiveness and impact your natural melatonin production. Watch for side effects of excessive melatonin use, including headaches, nausea, and fatigue.
Melatonin did not alter BP reactivity in healthy normotensive men and women. However, melatonin did decrease nighttime peripheral and central systolic BP, suggesting it may be beneficial in lowering BP even in those with a normal BP.
Melatonin might worsen blood pressure in people taking blood pressure medications. Central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Melatonin use with these medications might cause an additive sedative effect. Diabetes medications.
People who are pregnant, breastfeeding, have autoimmune disorders, seizure disorders, depression, bleeding issues, or are on certain medications (like blood thinners, blood pressure drugs, diabetes meds, or immunosuppressants) should generally avoid melatonin or consult a doctor first, as it can worsen conditions, interfere with meds, or cause side effects like daytime drowsiness, especially in older adults with dementia.
Melatonin is fast-acting and will have you feeling sleepy within 20 to 40 minutes. Melatonin will stay in your system for about five hours. Shift workers: If you work the night shift, getting to sleep can be difficult because you are trying to sleep during the day, when your brain is not producing melatonin.
While melatonin supplements are often considered a safe and effective way to improve sleep quality in the short term, they can sometimes cause unexpected side effects, including anxiety. The connection between melatonin and anxiety isn't fully understood, but certain factors may play a role.
Coronary artery disease, other heart problems and previous heart surgery. Narrowed heart arteries, a heart attack, heart valve disease, prior heart surgery, heart failure, cardiomyopathy and other heart damage are risk factors for almost any kind of arrhythmia. High blood pressure.
Melatonin increases susceptibility to atrial fibrillation in obesity via Akt signaling impairment in response to lipid overload.
A cross-over, placebo-controlled study evaluating the effects of the evening intake of melatonin by young and healthy normotensives subjects [18] showed a mild hypotensive effect during the whole 24 h period, with a concomitant heart rate lowering during the diurnal hours.
The 30-second rule in atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a widely used, though debated, guideline defining an AFib episode as an irregularly irregular heart rhythm lasting at least 30 seconds on an ECG, used to distinguish it from shorter, less significant atrial arrhythmias and help guide diagnosis and treatment, particularly for stroke risk and ablation success. While a standard for trials and device monitoring, newer research suggests shorter runs of AF might still be clinically important, prompting ongoing discussion about whether this threshold accurately reflects stroke risk and overall AF burden.
To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:
Summary. An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm, where the heart beats irregularly, too fast or too slowly. A palpitation is a short-lived feeling of your heart racing, fluttering, thumping or pounding in your chest.
Worry about heart palpitations if they come with chest pain, severe shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, or unusual sweating; also see a doctor if they are frequent, prolonged, worsening, or if you have existing heart issues, diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid problems, as these can signal serious conditions needing immediate care or evaluation.
Symptoms, Diagnosis and Monitoring of Arrhythmia
It's a common occurrence, especially when you're in a tense situation. But sometimes people mistake heart palpitations for a more serious condition called atrial fibrillation, or AFib. AFib occurs when rapid electrical signals cause the heart's two upper chambers to contract very fast and irregularly.
Alternatively, you can purchase an inexpensive stethoscope and listen to the rhythm of your heart directly. Many companies have also developed smartphone apps that can assist in detecting the presence of an irregular heart rhythm.
An AFib episode can feel like heart palpitations, a fluttering sensation in the chest, or an irregular and rapid heartbeat. You may also experience dizziness, fatigue, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath.
Many people are unaware of minor irregular heartbeats, and even completely healthy people have extra or skipped heartbeats once in a while. Palpitations are more common as you age. Usually, these occasional arrhythmias are nothing to worry about.
Heart palpitations that occur without other symptoms don't often present a significant health risk. Get emergency medical care if heart palpitations are accompanied by: Chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes. Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting.
If you're experiencing what feels like frequent or prolonged episodes of palpitations, or you're also having symptoms such as chest pain or dizziness when you have these episodes, it's a good idea to talk to your GP. Palpitations can feel scary, so it's normal to worry or feel anxious when you have them.