Additionally, we matched stroke patients with controls (1:4) based on propensity score, taking into account variables such as sex, age, current smoking, current drinking, high salt diet, physical activity, job nature, income, BMI, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, C-reactive protein, use of antihypertensive drugs, lipid-lowering drugs, hypoglycemic drugs, history of myocardial infarction, history of atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and diabetes. Here, CRP is linked to myocardial infarction.