Liverpool nurse’s last minute health check detects potentially life-threatening condition

A Liverpool nurse has told how having a last minute free health check detected a potentially life-threatening condition and now he’s encouraging others to do the same.

 

Mark Mellor, 38, a nurse at Aintree University Hospital, was on his break from work last year when he saw a poster for a World Kidney Day event being run by his colleagues.

 

They were offering a range of health checks for staff and members of the public, so he decided to take part.

 

Within half an hour Mark had completed tests for blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and kidney problems.

 

Mark, from Netherton, said: “My dad had a heart attack when he was a couple of years older than I am now. At the time my brother and I were tested for hereditary high cholesterol but our results came back fine. It had been almost 17 years since my last test, so I thought I’d seize the opportunity there and then.”

 

It turned out to be a potentially life-saving decision as Mark’s tests detected unusually high cholesterol levels.

 

He was referred to his GP for a follow-up test, which confirmed he had developed hereditary high cholesterol (also known as familial hyperlipidemia).

 

If left undetected, high cholesterol can cause potentially-fatal heart attacks, strokes and kidney problems.

 

Mark now takes statins every day, which he will continue to do for the rest of his life, and his cholesterol is under control.

 

He said: “I had known high cholesterol was a possibility since my dad’s heart attack. I should have been tested sooner but life gets busy and I just didn’t make the time.

 

“There are no symptoms, so I didn’t think anything was wrong. I’m incredibly fortunate that tests were being offered at work and it was pure coincidence that I decided to take part in World Kidney Day when I did. I’d absolutely encourage other people to take part in this year’s event.”

 

Although Mark’s high cholesterol is hereditary and not related to his lifestyle, he said his diagnosis still made him look at his diet and exercise, so he has reduced his fat intake and always makes time to go to the gym each week.

 

Dr Bhavna Pandya, Consultant Nephrologist at Aintree, who runs the hospital’s World Kidney Day event, said: “Mark’s story is a perfect example of why we hold free screening each year and it goes to show how important it is to prioritise your health and make the time to get tested. The tests we offer on World Kidney Day are free to everyone.”

 

Dr Pandya encourages people to talk to their families and understand if there is any history of disease or illness that puts them at increased risk.

 

She said: “Mark is a fit and healthy young man who you wouldn’t ordinarily associate with high cholesterol, but his family history put him at increased risk.

 

“It’s also important not to put yourself at unnecessary risk, so making sure that you eat a healthy balanced diet and take enough exercise are vital in preventing a whole host of health problems, including kidney disease, which is linked to obesity.”

 

This year’s World Kidney Day event takes place on Thursday 9th March from 10am-4pm in the Boardroom at Aintree University Hospital – no appointment needed.

 

The free drop-in session will include:

 

• Glucose testing
• Urine testing (for kidney problems)
• Cholesterol testing
• Blood pressure checks
• Pharmacist advice
• Dietary advice
• Heart rate check up
• Organ donation registration
• BMI (healthy weight assessment)

 

For further information, please email jackie.robinson@aintree.nhs.uk or call 0151 529 3356.