Transplanting hematopoietic stem cells to treat cancers and other conditions carries with it the risk of developing cardio-cerebrovascular diseases (CCVD)--disorders affecting the blood vessels of the heart and brain. Although research on post-transplant CCVD is extensive, there is paucity of knowledge on the effects of pre-transplant CCVD on transplant outcomes. Now researchers in China suggest pre-transplant CCVD indirectly affects patient mortality and survival following transplant through their strong association with post-transplant CCVD.