Without that test my wife would have lost a husband, and my children would have lost their dad
Wednesday, 11 February 2026
A Liverpool dad has shared his story after a routine family trip to the optician and a chance conversation turned into a life-saving moment.
Mike Andrews had planned a routine family trip to the optician and a weekend of shopping and running errands.
During the trip to the optician, Mike found himself reading a leaflet about blood pressure in the consulting room. This led to the Optometrist advising Mike about an initiative running where blood pressure tests were being offered at opticians as a quick and efficient way of screening people in familiar settings.
Mike, 45, from Tuebrook, Liverpool, said:
“I’m not one for going to the doctor and have no real history of hospital visits, but in that moment, something made me think: ‘why not?’ I had no idea that decision would start a journey of some quite alarming conversations.”
The Optometrist was so shocked at the results of the first blood pressure reading, a second test was carried out, and Mike was advised to call NHS 111 immediately.
After speaking to NHS 111, Mike was asked to attend his local pharmacy straightaway to repeat the test on another machine. His blood pressure was registering as 255/151.
Normal blood pressure is considered to be between 90/60 and 120/80 with a follow up by a medical professional required at 140/90.
“I was told I needed to go to A&E immediately,” Mike said. “That’s when I realised something was seriously wrong.”
Mike went straight to Aintree Hospital, where he was admitted and monitored for several days. Each time nurses took his blood pressure, they were astonished.
“They told me they couldn’t understand how I was walking around without any symptoms.”
Over the next ten weeks, Mike underwent brain scans, kidney scans, ultrasounds, and countless blood and urine tests. He now takes three medications daily to control his condition: medication he’ll need for life.
Mike, who lives at home with his wife Anna, daughters Violet (10) and Pearl (9), and the family’s Cockapoo, Bonnie is clear that without the Optometrist’s offer of a quick blood pressure test, the outcome could have been catastrophic.
“Doctors told me that without intervention, a heart attack or stroke was inevitable. My wife would have lost a husband, and my children would have lost their dad. That’s terrifying to think about.
“I would never have normally said yes to the test when it was offered. Whatever it was on that day which made me say yes has most certainly saved my life.
“I will be eternally grateful to the Optometrist and for the option of having my blood pressure tested at that point on our busy family day.”
Mike’s experience is part of a wider initiative reshaping how high blood pressure can be identified in everyday settings.
Following a successful funding bid with NHS England, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside launched a pilot in June last year, aimed at identifying undiagnosed hypertension (high blood pressure) during routine optometry appointments.
The service is delivered by local optometry practices across Cheshire and Merseyside, supported and managed by Primary Eyecare Services.
The service offers opportunistic blood pressure and irregular pulse checks during routine eye appointments for patients aged 40–79 who haven’t had a recent blood pressure check and do not have a current hypertension diagnosis.
Across 61 participating optometry practices, over 1000 people have now been tested – with around 300 people referred to their GP for further follow up and 8 people referred for urgent care.
Untreated high blood pressure can lead to serious conditions like stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, and even vision loss. Many people have no symptoms, making checks like these vital.
Optometrists are well placed to support early detection of high blood pressure, as many people visit their optician more regularly than their GP. They can quickly check a patient’s blood pressure and refer them for medical follow-up, potentially preventing life-changing or life-threatening events.
Dr Fiona Lemmens, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Executive Clinical Director said:
“This pilot shows the power of collaboration and innovation in healthcare.
“By offering blood pressure checks in community settings like optometry practices, we’re reaching people who might not otherwise have their blood pressure monitored.
“Mike’s story is a powerful reminder that these simple checks can save lives. We encourage everyone eligible to take up the opportunity when offered.”
Dharmesh Patel, Chief Executive of Primary Eyecare Services, stated:
“This pilot reflects the importance of optometry’s role in supporting the NHS’ 10-Year Plan of neighbourhood-led healthcare, offering convenient, accessible and effective care for more patients across England.
“Many patients have been referred on to their GP and local hospital for further investigation with several receiving lifesaving treatment just like Mike.”
You can find out more about high blood pressure and how to protect your health at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure/.