The American Heart Association has launched a new $15 million research initiative focused on early detection and prevention of heart valve disease, a condition that affects more than 80 million people worldwide and contributes to over 57,000 deaths annually in the United States. The Strategically Focused Research Network on Earlier Detection and Delaying Progression of Valvular Heart Disease will fund three research centers led by Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Center, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart's four valves become narrowed or fail to close properly, disrupting blood flow and potentially leading to heart failure, arrhythmia, and reduced quality of life. The disease often progresses silently, with many individuals unaware they have it until symptoms become severe. According to the American Heart Association's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, the prevalence of heart valve disease is rising globally.
"The prevalence of heart valve disease is increasing, but it rarely makes headlines and often shows no early warning signs," said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., volunteer president of the American Heart Association, in a statement. "By the time symptoms appear, damage may already be done - making early detection and treatment essential."
Mass General Brigham's VALVE-iPROTECT Center, led by Dr. Elena Aikawa, will focus on calcific aortic stenosis, a common form of valve disease where the aortic valve stiffens and narrows. No medication currently exists to stop or slow this disease, and patients often require valve replacement. The center will study molecular changes, use advanced imaging, and develop clinical calculators to identify at-risk individuals before significant damage occurs.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center's SHIELD Center, led by Dr. Andrea Beaton, will address rheumatic heart disease, the leading cause of valve disease in children and young adults, affecting at least 55 million people globally. The center will test AI-supported heart screening, digital patient registries, and community-based support systems in Brazil, Timor-Leste, and Uganda, aiming to implement the World Health Organization's 2024 screening guidelines.
The University of Pittsburgh's Center for Aortic Valve Disease Prediction and Integrated Research, led by Dr. Cynthia St. Hilaire, will investigate how risk factors like lipoprotein(a), inflammation, and biomechanical forces interact to trigger valve calcification. The team will build realistic lab systems to study disease progression and develop treatments to block early calcification processes.
The American Heart Association has invested nearly $300 million in 19 Strategically Focused Research Networks since the program's inception, covering topics ranging from hypertension to cardio-oncology. This network is part of the Association's broader Heart Valve Initiative and its Target: Aortic Stenosis quality improvement program, which support clinicians in improving patient care.
The four-year awards began April 1, 2026, and aim to shift heart valve disease care from late-stage surgery to early detection and prevention. The American Heart 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 United States.
