![\"Norma,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1_JS380731982.jpg\")
Norma, from Stockport, was told she was having a heart attack during a routine eye test at her opticians.(Image: NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care)<\/p>\nNorma from Stockport said it was a ‘miracle’ that her heart attack was caught during an eye test at her opticiansNorma, from Stockport, was told she was having a heart attack during a routine eye test at her opticians.(Image: NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care)<\/p>\n
A woman was shocked to be told she was having a heart attack during a routine eye test.<\/p>\n
Norma, from Stockport<\/a>, is sharing her story as part of Know Your Numbers Week, which encourages regular blood pressure checks to detect any serious underlying health issues.<\/p>\n Luckily for Norma, blood pressure checks<\/a> had recently been added to routine eye tests at some high street opticians in Greater Manchester as part of a new trial.<\/p>\n Feeling unwell and dizzy, she booked an eye test and was offered a blood pressure check, which revealed dangerously high readings.<\/p>\n Her optician immediately contacted her GP who arranged urgent transport to hospital, where a heart attack was later confirmed.<\/p>\n Norma said: “It’s a miracle. Absolutely a life-saver.<\/p>\n “If somebody says do you want your blood pressure tested, do it. It’s telling you what is wrong with your body.”<\/p>\n Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up <\/strong>here<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Optician Gohar Majid, who conducted the test, said her eyes were fine, but they suggested to Norma they carry out the blood pressure test.<\/p>\n He said: “She dismissed it thinking it is always low, but it had been over a year since her last test, so while we had time, we did a blood pressure test and it was a lot higher than we expected.”<\/p>\n Norma is just one of many who have benefited from the NHS<\/a> pilot, which is being rolled out in four areas across the country, including Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n During the first eight months of the initiative, it’s estimated that 44 lives were potentially saved in England, with 4,000 tests carried out.<\/p>\n