The American Heart Association has awarded $15 million to establish a new Strategically Focused Research Network on Earlier Detection and Delaying Progression of Valvular Heart Disease. The initiative, which began April 1, 2026, brings together research teams from Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Center, and the University of Pittsburgh to address the growing burden of heart valve disease.
According to the American Heart Association's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, more than 80 million people worldwide live with some form of heart valve disease, and the numbers are rising. In the United States alone, the condition contributes to over 57,000 deaths annually. Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart's four valves become narrowed or fail to close properly, leading to restricted blood flow or backward leakage. Left untreated, it can result in heart failure, arrhythmia, reduced quality of life, and premature death. The disease often progresses silently, with many individuals unaware of their condition until symptoms become severe.
"The prevalence of heart valve disease is increasing, but it rarely makes headlines and often shows no early warning signs. By the time symptoms appear, damage may already be done - making early detection and treatment essential," said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association. She emphasized the Association's commitment through initiatives like the Heart Valve Initiative and the Target: Aortic Stenosis™ quality improvement program.
The network comprises three research centers, each pursuing distinct projects over four years. At Mass General Brigham's VALVE-iPROTECT Center, led by Elena Aikawa, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, researchers aim to change how calcific aortic stenosis is prevented and treated by identifying early molecular changes, using advanced imaging, and developing clinical calculators. The center focuses on the role of lipoprotein(a) and inflammation in valve calcification. At Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center's SHIELD Center, led by Andrea Beaton, M.D., M.S., FAHA, the focus is on rheumatic heart disease, the leading cause of valve disease in children and young adults globally. The center will test AI-supported heart screening, digital registries, and community-based support in Uganda, Brazil, and Timor-Leste. At the University of Pittsburgh's Center For Aortic Valve Disease Prediction And Integrated Research, led by Cynthia St. Hilaire, Ph.D., FAHA, researchers will study how Lp(a), inflammation, and biomechanical forces interact to drive aortic stenosis, using realistic lab systems and machine learning to identify high-risk individuals.
This network is the latest in a series of 19 Strategically Focused Research Networks funded by the American Heart Association, which has invested nearly $300 million in such initiatives. The Association has funded over $6.1 billion in cardiovascular research since 1949, making it the largest non-profit supporter of heart and brain health research in the U.S. The new network aims to shift the paradigm from late-stage surgery to early detection and prevention, potentially saving millions of lives worldwide.
