Cathepsin S is elevated in people with atherosclerosis, hypertension, obesity and insulin resistance; cathepsin D baseline level is increased in smokers and individuals with diabetes and there is proof that it is associated with future coronary events; cathepsin K level is elevated in patients with atherosclerotic risk; however, there is no study linking it directly to subsequent stroke [96,97,98]. This evidence concerns the gene CTSS and stroke disorder.