Elderly women with higher levels of anxiety may live longer, according to a new study led by the Cleveland Clinic. Unfortunately, similar anxiety levels in older men may have a detrimental effect on health.

"Our research indicates that anxiety may have a protective effect on women, possibly causing them to seek medical attention more frequently than men," said researcher Dr. Jianping Zhang in a news release. Zhang went on to say that more research is needed to understand why increased anxiety affects men and women differently, as well as why increased anxiety would lead to longer lives in women.

The researchers studied 1000 seniors over a 15-year period. The women whose anxiety levels were higher at the beginning of the study lived longer. Changes in anxiety did not affect survival. In men, it was increasing levels of anxiety over time, rather than high anxiety at the beginning of the study, that were linked to shorter lives.

"We are not certain of the absolute connection between anxiety and mortality, but this data set shows there may be a gender difference," the researchers said.