The RTEL1 gene, as an important gene for maintaining telomere length, has been confirmed to be associated with telomere-related diseases such as Hoyeraal Hreidarsson Syndrome, glioma, lung cancer and atopic dermatitis [15–18], But so far, no studies have investigated the association between SNPs in the RTEL1 gene and the risk of stroke. This evidence concerns the gene RTEL1 and central nervous system cancer.