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, with research teams from Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Center, and the University of Pittsburgh leading the initiative. The network aims to address the growing prevalence of heart valve disease, a condition that contributes to more than 57,000 deaths each year in the U.S. and affects over 80 million people globally, according to the American Heart Association's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics.
Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart's four valves narrow or fail to close properly, leading to restricted blood flow or backward leakage. Left untreated, it can result in heart failure, arrhythmia, and reduced quality of life. The condition often progresses silently, with many individuals unaware they have it 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.
Mass General Brigham's VALVE-iPROTECT Center, led by Elena Aikawa, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, will focus on calcific aortic stenosis (AS), a common form of heart valve disease where the aortic valve becomes stiff and narrowed. The center's three projects aim to study molecular changes that trigger valve calcification, use advanced imaging to track active disease, and develop clinical calculators to identify at-risk individuals. This research seeks to shift AS care from late-stage surgery to early detection and prevention.
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center's SHIELD Center, led by Andrea Beaton, M.D., M.S., FAHA, will target rheumatic heart disease (RHD), the leading cause of heart valve disease in children and young adults. The center will collaborate globally, including partnerships in Uganda, Brazil, and Timor-Leste, to test AI-supported heart screening, digital patient registries, and community-based support systems. The goal is to prove that RHD is preventable through early detection and ongoing care.
The University of Pittsburgh's Center For Aortic Valve Disease Prediction And Integrated Research, led by Cynthia St. Hilaire, Ph.D., FAHA, will investigate the interplay of risk factors like lipoprotein(a), inflammation, and biomechanical forces in aortic stenosis. The team will build realistic lab systems to study disease progression and identify biomarkers for early detection, aiming to develop treatments that block calcification processes before surgery is needed.
The American Heart Association has invested nearly $300 million in 19 Strategically Focused Research Networks addressing key health issues. This new network underscores the Association's commitment to improving cardiovascular health through innovative research. Since 1949, the Association has funded over $6.1 billion in research, making it the largest non-profit supporter of heart and brain health research in the U.S.
