Dr. Sathish Kumar Krishnan has spent years tackling a silent crisis in healthcare: pulmonary hypertension (PH), a condition that affects thousands but remains underdiagnosed and under-treated. As a Pulmonary and Critical Care physician at Community Health Network in Indianapolis, he has worked to develop one of Indiana’s few pulmonary healthcare programs, pushing for its accreditation as a Comprehensive Care Center. This designation would improve access to specialized treatment for patients across the state.
“Pulmonary hypertension remains an underrecognized condition, yet it profoundly impacts patient outcomes,” Dr. Sathish Krishnan states. He is part of global initiatives to reduce disparities in pulmonary care and is involved in clinical trials to reshape treatment strategies.
A Critical Need for Specialized Pulmonary Hypertension Care
Pulmonary hypertension, marked by dangerously high blood pressure in the lungs, remains a formidable challenge in modern medicine. With symptoms often mistaken for other respiratory conditions, pulmonary hypertension is frequently diagnosed late, leading to poor patient outcomes. According to 2023-2024 data, the prevalence of PAH (Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension), a severe subset of pulmonary disease, is approximately 1.06 per 100,000 individuals in the U.S.
Projections indicate that by 2030, the demand for pulmonary hypertension specialists will continue to outpace supply, particularly as aging populations and interstitial lung diseases (ILD) increase the number of at-risk patients.
A 2019 study published in CHEST Journal highlighted a stark reality: only 257 pulmonary hypertension specialists across the U.S. made specialized care difficult to access. In Indiana, Community Health Network’s pulmonary healthcare program—one of only three in the state—is working to fill that gap. Dr. Sathish Krishnan’s contributions to developing and accrediting this center reflect a broader effort to standardize pulmonary hypertension care nationwide.
Nationwide Access to Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment
While medical advancements have improved pulmonary hypertension survival rates, economic and geographic barriers continue to prevent many patients from receiving proper treatment. The global PAH treatment market is projected to reach $10.28 billion by 2030, yet many patients struggle with the affordability of advanced therapies like endothelin receptor antagonists and prostacyclin analogs.
Outside his work at Community Health Network, Dr. Sathish Krishnan is an active member of the Pulmonary Vascular Research Institute’s (PVRI) “Access to Care” task force. This initiative connects pulmonary health experts from around the world to identify disparities in treatment and propose actionable solutions.
“Many pulmonary hypertension patients, particularly those in underserved regions, struggle to access specialized care due to financial constraints and geographic barriers,” Dr. Sathish Krishnan explains. Through PVRI, he has helped conduct international surveys to assess these challenges and collaborated with African specialists to improve education and access to pulmonary care treatments.
Seminal Research and Top-Tier Treatment
Dr. Sathish Krishnan is also involved in research to improve treatment for patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). He is currently a co-investigator for the TETON and TETON OLE clinical trials, which evaluate the use of inhaled Treprostinil in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). These large, multicenter studies, sponsored by United Therapeutics, could redefine treatment standards for a disease with few therapeutic options.
“These trials represent a crucial step in addressing an unmet need in pulmonary medicine. If successful, they could offer a new therapeutic option for patients with IPF, a condition with limited effective treatments,” he says. His role in these trials places him at the lead of the research that could transform care for ILD and pulmonary disease patients.
A Legacy of Excellence in Pulmonary Medicine
Dr. Sathish Krishnan’s career is built on strong academic and clinical excellence. He earned his medical degree from a prestigious government medical school in India, with an acceptance rate below 1%. During his internal medicine residency at the University of Illinois Chicago, St. Francis Hospital, he was selected as chief resident—a distinction awarded to only a select few during their third year of training. Upon graduation, he completed his fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin, an accredited Comprehensive Care Center for pulmonary hypertension, and was honored as Best Fellow.
Recognized for his leadership, Dr. Sathish Krishnan received the FCCP designation and was named a Top Doctor by Indianapolis Monthly in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He contributes to pulmonary medicine research as an editorial board member and peer reviewer for journals such as CHEST, Plos One, and European Medical Journal.
The Future of Pulmonary Hypertension and ILD Care
Dr. Sathish Krishnan is committed to advancing pulmonary medicine by providing access to pulmonary hypertension care, contributing to research, and mentoring the next generation of specialists.
“Our work in pulmonary care is not over just yet. Accreditation for our pulmonary healthcare program is an important milestone, but the ultimate goal is to ensure that every patient—regardless of location or financial status—has access to the care they need,” he concludes.