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A new study suggests that women who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could lead to lesser risk of heart problems, but the researchers are still unsure of the long-term safety risks.

Other findings of the study, according were that HRT does not increase the risk of cancer or stroke, although there have been studies previously which have shown a link.

"HRT had significantly reduced risk of mortality, heart failure, or heart attack, without any apparent increase of cancer, deep vein thrombosis or stroke," the authors were quoted as saying by BBC.

However, they stressed that "due to the potential time lag, longer time may be necessary to take more definite conclusions".

While The Department of Health advises women to only use it on a short-term basis, safety of long term usage of the therapy has been a topic of debate among academics for the last 10 years.

For the study, the researchers recruited women aged between 45 and 58 years old and recently menopausal.

HRT basically replaces female hormones which the body stops producing during menopause and can be helpful with hot flushes, insomnia, headaches and irritability, the report said.

After 10 years, when the participants of the study were followed, it was found that 33 of those who did not take HRT had died or suffered a heart attack, compared to just 16 women who were taking the treatment.

In the HRT group, apparently 36 women were treated for cancer compared to 39 who had not taken HRT - of which 17 cases were breast cancer compared to 10 in the HRT group. Also, the participants reported health benefits of HRT, for 6 years after stopping therapy.

"This is a very significant piece of research and should reassure the millions of women who turn to hormone therapy for relief of their menopausal symptoms. Although the study was not large, the long-term follow-up of 16 years is reassuring as there was no increase in adverse events including cancer. This should not be considered the last word on the effects of hormone therapy. More research is needed," the American Society for Reproductive Medicine said according to BBC.

However, considering the previous studies which have linked HRT to breast cancer and heart attack risk, some experts warn that the current study does not establish HRT to be safe.

"This is a small study that wasn't specifically designed to look at whether using HRT was linked to cancer risk. This, along with other concerns about how the study was conducted, means we cannot be confident about what it says on the subject of breast cancer risk and HRT. A recent comprehensive review funded by Cancer Research UK estimated that just over 3%, around 1,500 cases, of breast cancers in women a year in the UK are linked to using HRT. Women should still consult their GP... and discuss the benefits and harms with their doctor to decide what's right for them," Dr Claire Knight, from Cancer Research UK, said.

A patient should seek the advice of a GP if HRT is taken for 10 years or longer.

The study was published in the journal BMJ.