DALLAS, April 22, 2026 — Scientific research teams from Mass General Brigham Heart and Vascular Institute in Boston, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Center and the University of Pittsburgh will lead a new $15 million initiative dedicated to better understanding how to diagnose and treat heart valve disease . The Strategically Focused Research Network on Earlier Detection and Delaying Progression of Valvular Heart Disease is the latest research network funded by the American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all.
According to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics , more than 80 million people worldwide are living with some type of heart valve disease, and the numbers are climbing. In the U.S., the condition contributes to more than 57,000 deaths each year.
Heart valve disease is a common cardiovascular condition in which one or more of the heart’s four valves are narrowed and restrict blood flow or do not close properly which causes blood to flow backward rather than into the heart chambers or large blood vessels. Left untreated, it can eventually lead to heart failure, arrhythmia, recurrent hospital admissions, reduced quality of life and early death. Heart valve disease becomes more common with age and often progresses silently, so many people are not aware they have the disease. Identifying early warning signs and diagnosis before symptoms become severe can expand treatment options, prevent complications and improve quality of life.
“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 and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health and senior vice president of women’s health at Northwell Health in New York City. “The American Heart Association has identified heart valve disease as a key focus area and continues to support clinicians and health systems in improving patient care through our Heart Valve Initiative and our Target: Aortic Stenosis™ quality improvement program. This new research network is an exciting way to extend our impact even earlier by supporting innovative, cutting-edge scientific exploration. I look forward to seeing what we can learn from these progressive teams.”
The four-year awards, which started April 1, 2026, will include collaborative research projects across the three funded centers. The research centers and the projects include:
The American Heart Association has invested almost $300 million to establish 19 Strategically Focused Research Networks , each aimed at addressing a key strategic issue identified by the Association’s volunteer Board of Directors. Prior networks have been studying a wide variety of important topics including, but not limited to, prevention; hypertension; the health of women; heart failure; obesity; vascular disease; atrial fibrillation; arrhythmias/sudden cardiac death; cardiometabolic health/type 2 diabetes; health technology; cardio-oncology; the biological impact of chronic psychosocial stress, the role of inflammation in cardiovascular health and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. Each network centers around scientific knowledge and knowledge gaps, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the key research topic. Three to six research centers make up each network, bringing together investigators with expertise in basic, clinical and population/behavioral health science to find new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent heart disease and stroke.
Funding scientific research and discovery through initiatives like these awards is a cornerstone of the century-old American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission. The Association has now funded more than $6.1 billion in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and brain health research since 1949 , making it the single largest non-profit, non-government supporter of heart and brain health research in the U.S. New knowledge resulting from this funding continues to save lives and directly impact millions of people in every corner of the U.S. and around the world.
More than 8 in 10 (82%) U.S. adults say they are confident in the American Heart Association to provide trustworthy information related to public health, according to a recent Annenberg Policy Center poll . The Association ranked second only to an individual’s personal health care provider.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org , Facebook , X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Cathy Lewis: cathy.lewis@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org