Prior to PSM, we observed differences in certain baseline variables between the two groups, namely, in the age, sex, BMI, SBP, DBP, HDL-c, tHcy, HbA1c, eGFR, Scr, UA, BNP, LAD, LVEF, NYHA class, CHA2DS2-VASc score, drugs, history of hyperlipidaemia, CAD, stroke and renal insufficiency (Table 1). The gene discussed is NPPB; the disease is Stroke.