DALLAS - September 22, 2026 (NEWMEDIAWIRE) - Despite decades of progress in cardiovascular science, women continue to face significant gaps in research, diagnosis and treatment, according to a report published by the American Heart Association and the McKinsey Health Institute. To help close those gaps, the American Heart Association, through its American Heart Association Ventures’ Studio Red, today announced the recipients of the Redefining Women’s Health: From Heart to Head to Hormones translational research grant awards.

Each grant recipient will receive $100,000 to accelerate high-potential, translational research projects designed to move promising discoveries toward real-world application. During the one-year award period, Studio Red - part of American Heart Association Ventures - will provide grantees with support and education on topics including intellectual property, regulatory, reimbursement and commercialization strategies.

American Heart Association Ventures is the mission-driven venture capital program of the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone, everywhere. Studio Red creates and co-creates new companies to solve as-yet unsolved problems and market challenges in cardiovascular and brain health, and related conditions.

Winning projects span several Association priority research areas, including ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries, autoimmune disease and heavy menstrual bleeding. The grant recipients include:

• Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles) - “Resting Cardiac Phase-Resolved T2* Mapping Detects Reduced Oxygenation Dynamics in Women with Microvascular Dysfunction.” Researchers are designing a safer, non-invasive MRI technique that may help detect hidden heart blood vessel problems in women without the need for drugs, injections or invasive procedures.
• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (Baltimore) - “Advancing Women's Health: Novel XIST-Based Screening and Predictors for Systemic Autoimmune Diseases.” Researchers are developing a new blood test designed specifically for women that could help doctors diagnose autoimmune diseases earlier and more accurately, while also predicting which patients are at greater risk for severe illness.
• The Regents of the University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles) - “INOCA-AI: A Multimodal Non-invasive Platform for Early Detection and Risk Prediction of INOCA and CMD.” Researchers are using artificial intelligence to analyze medical records, heart images and laboratory tests to identify women at risk for hidden heart blood vessel disease earlier and more accurately.
• University of Maryland, Baltimore (Baltimore) - “How Machine Learning and AI Transform Diagnostic Algorithms and Treatment for Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.” Researchers are developing an AI-powered tool to help doctors more quickly identify the causes of heavy menstrual bleeding and recommend the most effective tests and treatments for each patient. 
• University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh) - “Ultrasound-Targeted Microbubble Cavitation Therapy for Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Women.” Researchers are testing a novel ultrasound-based therapy that uses tiny bubbles and sound waves to improve blood flow in the heart’s smallest vessels and relieve chest pain in women with often-overlooked heart disease.

“Too often, conditions that uniquely or disproportionately affect women are overlooked or misunderstood in clinical care,” said Annabelle Volgman, M.D., American Heart Association volunteer and chair of the peer review committee for the Association’s translational research grant awards. “The projects we selected to fund stood out based on scientific rigor and the potential to translate into meaningful improvements in diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for women.”

Funded projects were selected based on their potential to create a clear pathway toward practical application and patient benefit. The selected projects for the Redefining Women’s Health: From Heart to Head to Hormones translational research grant awards focus on areas where innovation has the potential to meaningfully improve outcomes for women.

“Many heart, brain and related conditions that disproportionately, differently or distinctly impact women remain underdiagnosed, undertreated and underfunded. Through this grant program, the American Heart Association is investing to advance groundbreaking research and novel solutions that will close critical gaps in health for women,” said Mariell Jessup, M.D., FAHA, the chief science and medical officer of the American Heart Association. “The projects selected represent the kind of cross-disciplinary thinking required to shape the future and bring new healthcare solutions closer to the women who need them.”

At the conclusion of the yearlong award period, one to two awardees may be selected for company incubation in Studio Red, which includes guidance during the early company formation process and support in reaching key funding milestones. The goal is to have one company created and ready for follow-on funding.

Additional Resources: 

• Call to Action for Cardiovascular Disease in Women: Epidemiology, Awareness, Access, and Delivery of Equitable Health Care: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association | Circulation
• Ischemic Heart Disease and Silent Ischemia | American Heart Association
• Women with common autoimmune diseases may face higher death rate from heart disease, stroke than men | American Heart Association
• American Heart Association News brings you the latest information women's health
• Follow AHA/ASA news on X @HeartNews 

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.   

About American Heart Association Ventures™    

American Heart Association Ventures is the mission-driven venture capital program of the American Heart Association, bridging the funding gap between research and real-world impact across the landscape of cardiovascular and brain health. We invest in companies working to translate evidence-based science, research and clinical know-how into commercially actionable and sustainable products and services. Through multiple investment models, we fund companies that amplify the American Heart Association’s mission to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org/ventures and LinkedIn.  

About Studio Red 

Studio Red, part of American Heart Association Ventures, creates and co-creates new companies to solve as-yet unsolved problems and market challenges in cardiovascular and brain health, and related conditions. We leverage the knowledge, assets and clinical acumen of the American Heart Association and its external scientific, clinical and entrepreneurial communities to drive new science-based solutions to commercial reality. 

For Media Inquiries: 214-706-1173

Michelle Rosenfeld, APR: michelle.rosenfeld@heart.org  

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org

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