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. Here, RTEL1 is linked to Stroke.