Assessment of biological variables, that are known to be involved in the pathogenesis as well as severity and outcome of stroke, including body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure and blood triglyceride, glucose and LDL-cholesterol levels, and the circulating EPC numbers showed an inverse correlation between BL cholesterol levels and D90 CD34 + KDR + numbers (r: − 0.34 p: 0.016). The gene discussed is KDR; the disease is Stroke.