A routine eye examination in Stockport revealed far more than vision problems when an optician discovered a patient was experiencing a heart attack during her appointment.
The NHS pilot scheme, which incorporates blood pressure monitoring into standard eye tests, proved life-saving for Norma Booth.
The Greater Manchester resident had scheduled her optician visit after experiencing dizziness. When optician Gohar Majid offered to check her blood pressure as part of the new initiative, the reading revealed dangerously elevated levels.
Booth had previously dismissed concerns about hypertension, believing her blood pressure had “always been low” based on earlier measurements.
Norma Booth believed her blood pressure had always been low
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NHS
The experience left Booth feeling “detached from reality” during what she now recognises as a cardiac event.
She explained her misconceptions about heart attack symptoms: “I thought when you had a heart attack, you fell on the floor and would be screaming in agony and someone would be doing ‘Stayin’ Alive’ on your chest.”
Instead, the episode unfolded differently. “But it was like in slow motion,” she recalled.
Medical experts confirm that hypertension can manifest through symptoms including blurred vision and headaches.
Without intervention, the condition may progress to heart attacks or strokes, though the NHS notes that lifestyle modifications and medication can provide effective management.
Blood pressure monitoring has been integrated into standard eye examinations at select high street opticians throughout Greater Manchester, forming part of a broader NHS trial programme. The initiative operates across four regions nationally.
The scheme enables opticians to identify potentially dangerous cardiovascular conditions during routine appointments.
Majid highlighted a widespread misunderstanding among patients regarding blood pressure consistency.
“They assume it’ll be the same, so we’re not surprised when people say to us ‘I’ve not had my blood pressure done for a while’ and expect it to be in the normal range,” the optician explained.
This misconception can prevent the timely detection of serious health issues.
Booth now advocates strongly for regular blood pressure monitoring, regardless of previous readings.
“If somebody says, ‘Do you want your blood pressure tested?’ do it. It’s telling you what is wrong with your body,” she urged.
Routine health screenings can uncover critical conditions
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GETTY
The Stockport resident described the intervention as nothing short of miraculous. “It’s a miracle – absolutely a life-saver,” she stated.
Her optician explained that assuming blood pressure remains constant represents a “common misconception” among patients.
Many individuals who haven’t undergone testing for extended periods incorrectly anticipate normal readings based on historical results.
Fortunately, routine health screenings can uncover critical conditions, even when patients feel their risk is minimal.
