Women who use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to relieve the symptoms of the menopause may have a lower risk of death, a new study has found.

They may also have lower levels of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), the findings suggest.

HRT is widely acknowledged as the most effective treatment for symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flushes and night sweats. It has also been linked to certain health benefits such as a reduced risk of osteoporosis. However, fears over potential links to cancer and other risks has lead to a decline in the number of women using it over the last 15 years.

This latest study looked at over 4,200 women. It found that after taking into account things such as age and heart risk factors, those using HRT were 30% less likely to die compared to those not on HRT.

Those on HRT were also 20% more likely to have a coronary calcium score of zero, which indicates a low likelihood of suffering a heart attack.

They were also 36% less likely to have a coronary calcium score above 399, which suggests severe atherosclerosis and a high heart attack risk.

"With proper screening and proper follow-up, from a cardiovascular standpoint I believe it is beneficial to take HRT. Our results confirm and enhance previous work in terms of showing lower atherosclerosis. In addition, we've shown very clear survival benefits of using HRT," commented the study's lead author, Dr Yoav Arnson, of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in the US.

However, the researchers called for further studies to determine which groups may not benefit from this type of therapy.

"HRT resulted in lower atherosclerosis and improved survival for all age groups and for all levels of coronary calcium. From this we do think it is beneficial, but we would need prospective or randomised studies to determine which groups might not benefit or even be harmed by this therapy," Dr Arnson added.

Details of these findings are to be presented at the American College of Cardiology's 66th Annual Scientific Session in Washington later this month.