Does melatonin lower nighttime blood pressure in heart disease patients?
What the Evidence Shows
What we've found so far suggests that melatonin might help lower nighttime blood pressure in people with heart conditions. The evidence we've reviewed suggests a possible benefit. Our current analysis shows that 1 study supports this idea, while 0 studies refute it.
The research we looked at indicates that taking melatonin supplements could improve overall blood pressure readings during the night. This effect appears to happen because melatonin may help relax the walls of your blood vessels . It might also calm your nervous system, which is the network of nerves that controls your body functions. When your blood vessels relax and your nervous system settles, your blood pressure can drop.
We want to be clear that this is only a partial view. Our analysis is based on a single assertion right now. The evidence we've reviewed leans toward a positive effect, but we do not have enough data to say how strong that effect is. We will keep tracking new research as it comes in. Our current analysis shows a promising direction, but the picture is still incomplete.
If you have heart disease and are wondering about melatonin, talk to your doctor before starting any supplement. You can ask whether taking it at night might fit safely into your current care plan. Keep monitoring your blood pressure as usual, and share any changes with your healthcare provider.