Huang NK, Biggs ML, Matthan NR, et al. - Findings demonstrate associations of 2 nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) subclasses and 3 individual NEFAs with incident stroke. Serum NEFA n‐3 subclass and dihomo‐γ‐linolenic acid are derived from diet and could represent potential biomarkers for total stroke risk in older adults.

• For the first time ever, subclasses and individual NEFAs were profiled and the associations with incident stroke were assessed in older adults.

• Among 2028 CHS (Cardiovascular Health Study) participants who were free of stroke at baseline (1996–1997) and had an archived fasting serum sample, a total of 35 NEFAs were quantified.

• Fasting serum nonesterified omega (n)‐3 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.77) and n‐6 (HR, 1.32) polyunsaturated fatty acids were negatively and positively linked with incident stroke, respectively.

• Lower and higher risks of total stroke were observed in relation to fasting serum nonesterified cis‐7‐hexadecenoic and dihomo‐γ‐linolenic acids, respectievly, although these links did not remain significant post-exclusion of cases with hemorrhagic stroke.