The American Heart Association (AHA) has launched a new $15 million research network aimed at earlier 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, according to the AHA's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics.
The Strategically Focused Research Network on Earlier Detection and Delaying Progression of Valvular Heart Disease will fund three research centers over four years, beginning April 1, 2026. The centers are located at Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute in Boston, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and the University of Pittsburgh. These teams will focus on identifying early warning signs, understanding disease progression, and developing prevention strategies for heart valve disease, which often progresses silently without symptoms until significant damage has occurred.
“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 AHA.
Heart valve disease occurs when one or more of the heart’s four valves become narrowed or leaky, leading to reduced blood flow and potential complications such as heart failure, arrhythmia, and reduced quality of life. The condition becomes more common with age, and many people are unaware they have it until severe symptoms arise.
The Mass General Brigham VALVE-iPROTECT Center, led by Elena Aikawa, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, will investigate calcific aortic stenosis (AS), a common valve disease where the aortic valve stiffens. The center aims to identify early molecular changes, use advanced imaging to track disease activity, and develop clinical calculators to predict risk. Researchers will study how cholesterol-related inflammation and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) contribute to valve calcification, with the goal of shifting care from late-stage surgery to early prevention.
The Cincinnati Children’s Hospital SHIELD Center, led by Andrea Beaton, M.D., M.S., FAHA, will focus on rheumatic heart disease (RHD), the leading cause of valve disease in children and young adults, affecting at least 55 million people globally. The center will collaborate with partners in Uganda, Brazil, and Timor-Leste to test AI-supported heart screening, digital patient registries, and community-based support systems. These efforts aim to implement the World Health Organization’s 2024 guidelines recommending heart ultrasound screening for 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 study how risk factors like Lp(a), inflammation, and biomechanical forces interact to trigger aortic valve calcification. The team will build realistic lab systems to mimic valve motion and blood flow, aiming to identify high-risk individuals using biomarkers, imaging, and machine learning. The goal is to develop treatments that block calcification processes early.
The AHA has invested nearly $300 million to establish 19 Strategically Focused Research Networks, each targeting key cardiovascular health issues. This latest network underscores the AHA’s commitment to addressing heart valve disease, building on its Heart Valve Initiative and Target: Aortic Stenosis quality improvement program. Since 1949, the AHA has funded over $6.1 billion in cardiovascular research, making it the largest non-profit supporter of heart and brain health research in the U.S.
According to a recent Annenberg Policy Center poll, more than 8 in 10 U.S. adults trust the AHA to provide reliable health information, ranking second only to personal healthcare providers. The new network is expected to generate insights that could transform how heart valve disease is diagnosed and treated globally.
