Scientific research teams from Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Center, and the University of Pittsburgh will lead a new $15 million initiative to improve diagnosis and treatment of heart valve disease. The Strategically Focused Research Network on Earlier Detection and Delaying Progression of Valvular Heart Disease is the latest network funded by the American Heart Association.
According to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, more than 80 million people worldwide have heart valve disease, with numbers rising. In the U.S., the condition contributes to over 57,000 deaths each year. The disease involves narrowed or leaky heart valves that can lead to heart failure, arrhythmia, and early death if untreated. Many people are unaware they have it until symptoms appear.
“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., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association. “This new research network is an exciting way to extend our impact even earlier by supporting innovative, cutting-edge scientific exploration.”
The four-year awards, starting April 1, 2026, include three centers. Mass General Brigham’s VALVE‑iPROTECT Center will study calcific aortic stenosis, aiming to identify at-risk individuals and develop prevention strategies. Cincinnati Children’s SHIELD Center will focus on rheumatic heart disease, testing AI-supported screening and digital registries in low-income countries. The University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Aortic Valve Disease Prediction and Integrated Research will explore how risk factors like lipoprotein(a) and inflammation combine to trigger valve calcification.
The American Heart Association has invested nearly $300 million in 19 Strategically Focused Research Networks, funding over $6.1 billion in cardiovascular research since 1949. These networks aim to shift care from late-stage surgery to early detection and prevention, potentially saving millions of lives worldwide.
