A British medical team released the results of a new research study that indicates that one reason women historically outlive men is that their hearts don't lose their power as they age while men's hearts lose up to 25 percent of their pumping power between the ages of 18 and 70.

'This dramatic gender difference might just explain whey women live longer than men,' said Professor David Goldspink, the lead researcher in the study.

Goldspink did hold out hope for men, however. 'If men work at it, they can preserve the power and performance of their ageing hearts,' he said.

The study looked at the health of 250 people from the Liverpool area and examined their body composition, blood pressure, heart performance and the health of their arteries and veins.

One British physician was hopeful that the study would not lead to the conclusion that women don't have medical needs when it comes to heart care. 'What is important to keep in mind is that even it this study is true what is often not recognised is that women get cardiovascular disease too,' said Dr. Suzanne Wait, the director of research at the International Longevity Center, a British think tank.

While both sexes obviously need to watch their health and take care of their hearts, it seems women have stronger hearts than men.