Heart failure is one of the most common and challenging conditions affecting adults over 60. A 2024 systematic review and meta‑analysis published in Clinical Cardiology examined whether melatonin — a hormone best known for regulating sleep — could also support heart function and improve daily well‑being in people living with heart failure.

The findings were encouraging: melatonin supplementation was associated with better cardiac performance, lower biomarkers of heart failure severity, and improved quality of life.

What the researchers wanted to understand

The study analyzed randomized controlled trials to determine whether melatonin could:

• improve left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)
• reduce NT‑proBNP, a key marker of heart failure severity
• improve quality of life and symptom burden
• reduce inflammation and oxidative stress

Melatonin has antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory, and autonomic‑balancing effects, making it a promising candidate for supporting heart function.

What the study found

• Improved ejection fraction (LVEF). Melatonin supplementation led to a statistically significant improvement in how effectively the heart pumps blood.
• Reduced NT‑proBNP. This biomarker rises as heart failure worsens. Melatonin lowered NT‑proBNP levels, suggesting improved cardiac stress and function.
• Better quality of life. Participants reported improvements in:
  • energy
  • sleep
  • daily functioning
  • overall symptom burden
• Reduced inflammation. Heart failure is partly driven by chronic inflammation. Melatonin’s antioxidant properties may help counter this process.
• Safe and well‑tolerated. Across trials, melatonin did not increase adverse events.

Together, these findings suggest that melatonin may offer meaningful support for both heart function and daily well‑being in people with heart failure.

Why this matters for aging

Heart failure becomes more common with age, and many older adults experience:

• reduced sleep quality
• increased inflammation
• declining cardiac efficiency

Melatonin’s combined effects on sleep, inflammation, and cardiac function make it a uniquely relevant option for older adults managing heart failure.

What this means for your daily life

Melatonin is widely available, inexpensive, and generally well‑tolerated. While this study does not replace medical treatment, it suggests that melatonin may offer supportive benefits for:

• heart function
• energy levels
• sleep quality
• overall quality of life

Anyone considering melatonin for heart health should speak with a healthcare professional, especially if taking medications for blood pressure, sleep, or heart rhythm.

Reference

The study is available here: Melatonin as a Novel Drug to Improve Cardiac Function and Quality of Life in Heart Failure Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta‑Analysis (Clinical Cardiology, 2024)