Imagine going for an eye test and leaving in an ambulance! That’s what happened to Norma Booth from Stockport. She felt dizzy and unwell, suspecting her vision was the problem. But during her routine eye check-up, a surprise blood pressure test revealed something shocking – Norma was actually having a heart attack!
Thanks to a new NHS trial offering blood pressure checks at opticians, Norma’s life was potentially saved. The test results were so alarming that the optician quickly contacted her GP, and she was rushed to hospital where doctors confirmed the heart attack. “It’s a miracle,” Norma exclaimed, urging everyone to take advantage of these new checks.
This pioneering trial is taking place in four areas across England, including Greater Manchester, and has already completed 4,000 tests. The results? An estimated 44 lives saved in just eight months. Optician Gohar Majid shared that while Norma thought her blood pressure would be low, the test was a lifesaver.
Health experts believe this simple addition to eye tests could be a game-changer, helping to identify silent health issues like high blood pressure before they become fatal. Julia Maiden, clinical lead for the trial, highlights how detecting undiagnosed hypertension can greatly lower long-term cardiovascular risks.
Next time you’re at the optician, say yes to the blood pressure check. It could be a lifesaver! 👀❤️