Diabetic women undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increase their risk of death from ischemic heart disease, according to a new report published in the February 22nd issue of the British Medical Journal. Investigating the causes of myocardial infarction and ischemic heart disease, the study examined data obtained from 20,000 female nurses, at least 45 years of age, who were followed from 1993 to 1998.

In non-diabetic women, researchers discovered no significant differences in the risk of heart disease among HRT users and those who had never undergone the therapy. Among diabetic women, however, HRT use was associated with up to a 9.2-fold increased risk of ischemic heart disease and myocardial infarction, compared to non-diabetics who had never used HRT. Researchers involved in the study say the reasons HRT may have harmful effects on diabetics is still unclear.