WEBVTT

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My name is Steve Friedman, and I'm a vascular surgeon at Optum.

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People often ask, "Why would I need a vascular surgeon?" We operate on all the blood vessels outside of the heart and brain. The main areas we treat are the carotid arteries—the major arteries in the neck that supply the brain. When these arteries develop significant blockages, they can cause a stroke, so we perform surgery to clean them out and prevent that.

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Another area we repair is the abdominal aorta, the main artery in the abdomen. Some people develop aneurysms, which are bulges or dilatations of that artery. We repair these aneurysms before they become dangerous.

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We also work on the arteries in the legs. Blockages there are very common and can cause difficulty walking, constant pain, or in severe cases, gangrene. We use minimally invasive techniques or bypass procedures to correct those blockages.

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A very common problem is varicose veins. We treat them using injections, lasers, or minimally invasive surgery involving tiny nicks in the skin to remove the veins.

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I've been a vascular surgeon at Optum for 18 years, and what I enjoy most is that if I need another physician from any specialty, they are all nearby—many are friends whom I trust. They are the best physicians I've ever worked with. I frequently send my own friends and family to them because I know they will receive excellent care.

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It's a great feeling knowing that no matter what problem a patient is facing, there is always a skilled physician close by who can help.

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My name is Steve Friedman, and I'm a vascular surgeon at Optum.