07/09/2026
The science of valve disease is only as good as who’s building it, and right now, we’re missing too much of the picture.
The data tell a consistent and sobering story:
• Only 2% of TAVR operators and 1% of TMVr operators are women.
• Women represent 1.5% of authors in landmark TAVR and TMVr clinical trials (4 out of 260)
• Women lead fewer than 1 in 5 cardiovascular clinical trials — the lowest rate of any therapeutic area — and receive just 20% of cardiovascular NIH R01 grants.
We also know that cardiovascular trials led by women enroll nearly 19% more female patients than those led by men (44.9% vs. 37.9%), meaning the leadership gender gap directly shapes science and the care every patient receives.
That is why the Heart Valve Society and Women As One are pleased to announce a strategic partnership to advance equity in heart valve disease at a global scale, for our workforce and for our patients.
Through our partnership, we will bring together, support, and elevate women across the heart valve community around the world, while advancing pathways into leadership, science, innovation, and clinical care.
The future of valve disease will be shaped by the people we invest in today.
