We could be looking at developing testosterone or male HRT for heart disease in the next few years

Dr Hugh Jones, Sheffield University

Dr Pugh said: "These findings show that testosterone relaxes blood vessels and this is important because it can have many clinical applications, such as use in stroke, angina, heart disease and high blood pressure.

"There results may be especially important to men because as they age their levels of testosterone fall and this could be a contributing factor to such diseases."

Strong link

Dr Jones said their study had identified a strong link between testosterone levels and heart disease.

"We have demonstrated that men with coronary heart disease have lower testosterone levels.

"We have also demonstrated that men with angina have reduced levels.

"We found that testosterone stops and regresses the thickening of arteries and increasing testosterone levels improves the time men can spend on exercise treadmills."

Dr Jones suggested the study could lead to new treatments for men in the coming years.

"Potentially we could be looking at developing testosterone or male HRT for heart disease in the next few years," he told BBC News Online.