See our top 10 unhealthy jobs list, and find out how your job ranks out.

How & why
Our jobs impact our health
The main way work impacts health is through stress.  Physical, emotional, mental and even spiritual stress takes a toll on us and leads to varying health problems.  Jobs demand a lot from us, from the overrated multitasking to sleepless nights and annoying coworkers, our bodies are constantly tasked beyond safe limits, posing serious health risks.

As if that is not enough, unhealthy habits, poor diets and lack of hydration increase the risk.  Many people are compelled by work pressures to poor diets: processed foods and snacks, and are often oblivious of the benefits of proper hydration.  Deadlines, presentations, emails, noise, EMFs (electromagnetic frequency), temperature changes, poor ventilation or lack of fresh air and difficult co-workers or bosses all affect our health.  Add a bad habit like smoking into the mix and you tip the scale to risky proportions.

Did u know?
Technological advances: emails, voicemail, text messaging, faxes, twitters have further stressed workers?  A study conducted by Pitney Bowes, the Institute for the Future, the Gallup Organization, and San Jose State University in California suggests sending and receiving messages takes up so much of the workday, forcing employees to take real work home.

The immune system protects us from invasion of bacteria, fungus, virus, and yeast and cancer cells.  Immune cells that fight off these unwanted cells are constantly been produced in the bone marrow, and carried in the blood.  They destroy toxins and microbes that enter the body.

An enormous amount of nutrients is needed by the immune system to function properly.  Processed foods with added chemicals, preservatives, and artificial colors unfortunately do not provide adequate nutrition for immune function.  Processed sugar alone is known to suppress the immune system, leaving the body prone to infections.  Symptoms such as allergies, sinus problems etc are indicative of the immune system battling invasion.

Since we spend most of our time at work, our immune system takes a beating from the unending battle with toxins to keep us healthy.  Viruses and toxins may lay dormant for years until the immune system becomes too weak to protect the body from their effects.  Then show up suddenly, causing serious health problems.  It takes time for them to infuse into healthy cells and multiply to do damage.

Also, there is the unending attack of chemicals, living and nonliving materials that attack the body from work environments.  The kind of work environment you find yourself today will ultimately determine your health in the future.  Plus, some people add to it with harmful cleaning solvents in the home.

Take for example, a painter who smokes consumes a lot of sodas and processed foods; his wife, a pest control technician cleans the home with bleach and other harmful chemicals (see the Bushman’s Spring Cleaning tips).  Add two in-house dogs and kids, and you have a high risk home for numerous health problems.

Bottom line:
Jobs mount pressure on the immune system making us vulnerable to sickness and diseases.  Bad habits and poor diets add to the problem.  Immune support is needed to fight back.

Any job that mounts stress on the body, cuts down on sleep, and does not allow for breaks is unhealthy.  Also, the long and short term effects of the jobs on the body are considered.  The nature of the health effect, whether chronic, terminal, or permanent damage, is also a factor in our ranking.

See if your job or former job makes the list.  I hope not!

10. Secretarial administration
Number 10 on our top 10 unhealthy jobs is secretarial/administrative jobs.  Yes, secretaries would argue, but work with me here!  This category applies to all secretarial/administrative roles.  The personal assistants, the customer service representatives, and help desk employees. 

The main adverse effect suffered by this job category is stress.  Not to say stress is a minor health risk, but they can easily combat it with adaptogenic herbs such as Ginseng, Bee Pollen, Astragalus, and Suma, or several other means (see “Stress combating tips”).   Adding to the stress is EMFs (electromagnetic frequency), poor diet, and lack of proper hydration and physical exertion.  Most of which can be dealt with by making simple adjustments. 

So secretaries…it’s not all that bad!  Keep a positive attitude, get up and stretch and/or exercise every day, drink plenty of water, hold the caffeine, sugar, and dairy, and you will be alright!

9.  Medical care providers
This category applies to doctors and nurses.  Especially pediatricians and veterinarians who deal with a lot of patients with communicable diseases.  It is popular belief that hospitals are the best places to get infected by bacteria, viruses.  Apart from the baseline stress and common unhealthy habits these medical care providers face exposed to infections from their patients.

Their solution is pretty simple: wash hands and disinfect.  Rubbing NSP’s Silver Shield gel on washed hands has the ability to protect them from catching an infection for hours.  They need to watch out for carriers of infection and drink plenty of water also.  Other support for the immune system such as antioxidants, and herbs maybe useful.  See our immune boosting tips.

8.  Zoo keeping/veterinary medicine
Next on our list are those jobs involving animal care.  The zoo keepers, poultry, and other animal control jobs.  What makes these jobs unhealthy is exposure to animal bacteria/parasites and diseases.  Animals are known to carry pathogens on them, in their feces and urine with particles tiny enough to be airborne.  Constant contact with animals may encourage transfer of parasites and other pathogens that cause chronic illnesses. 

People in this category need to support respiratory system more than anything else.  A periodic respiratory cleanse may be added to safety repertoire.

7.  EMTs
We see them every once in a while, we love to hear their sirens when they are headed to rescue us.  What you may not know is that ambulance workers work under one of the most risky conditions.  Their stress levels are off the charts as they have irregular sleep schedules, poor diet (hardly any time to eat a good meal), often suffer dehydration; and they are exposed to environmental pollution as well as communicable diseases.

These people need adaptogenic and nervine herbs to help them deal with stress.  Staying hydrated will go a long way with those in this category, also.

6.  Pest/animal control
Everyday traffic hustle, endless driving, working with chemicals, and pests’ diseases place the next category at number six.  This comprises pest control technicians, animal controllers, and Walk into a home place traps for mice, poisons for roaches and keep the ants at bay.  Seem like a pretty easy job, right?  Think again.

They have almost no time to eat a decent meal, as they are on the road all day; they are constantly being exposed to parasite-carrying pets (the fleas, and lice, etc), dangerous pesticides, and pathogens from pests such as rat urine and feces; plus they eat in their trucks.  A study found heavy pesticide concentrations on the steering wheels of 97% of the pest control technicians’ trucks studied.

Eating in these trucks is common practice among workers in this group.  What better way to get pesticides inside you?! 

Immune system boost, respiratory cleansing and support, and a high antioxidant regimen are highly recommended for members of this category.  See also “Tips”.

The culprit: exposure to airborne bronchodilator sprays.  They create asthma.  Asthma is a chronic condition, and that makes this risk serious.  Studies show respiratory therapists are five times more likely to develop asthma with exposure to bronchodilator sprays than without exposure.

4.  Cleaning/painting/lab work
This group is one of the most exposed to toxins and chemicals and other pathogens than any other group.  They are the household cleaners, maids, carpet and office cleaners, painters, and lab workers.  The constant handling of harmful chemicals on a daily basis takes this group to the number four spot.

Cleaning activities constitute serious health risks.  Vacuuming, for example, pick up big dirt pieces, but leave tiny particles floating in the air, carrying harmful substances in them.  Dust particles in the home are known to contain high concentrations of heavy metals, pesticides and pet allergens. 

As if that is not enough, there is the exposure to bacteria such as E. coli from the kitchen and toilets (see …), plus exposure to second-hand smoke, cleaning solvents, other home chemicals and toxins such as lead-based paint, radon, mold, disease-causing pests (and pets), formaldehyde, and stain resistant chemicals on carpets and upholstery, leech into air, as well as communicable diseases from their clients.

The painters and lab workers also handle heavy metals and toxic chemicals on a daily basis.  Breathing them in also. 

Going green is the best answer for this group.  Insist on safe, natural cleaning products.  The good ole baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, lemon and other essential oils such as lavender.  See The Bushman’s Magnificent Seven and Spring Cleaning.

These people need constant cleanses and detox from these pollutants.  See “Types of cleanses” to pick a cleanse that may be right for you. 

3. Factory work
This is no doubt the most common risky job as far as health is concerned.  The long term negative effects of this category ranks it at number three.  The key to the risk in this category is the toxic substance or chemical that is involved, and its means of pollution.  For example, those working with asbestos would top the list here.  Asbestos is not only toxic and cancer-causing; it is also very easily ingested into the lungs via breathing. 

What makes it so deadly is the long term damaging effect on the lungs; and it results in terminal cancer.
 
2.  The trucker
A surprise, the truck driver ranks at number two.  The trucker is not only prone to many long and short term diseases and conditions; they are also the number in unhealthy habits and junk food.  They do too valuable and too sacrificial a job to suffer all that they do; God bless them.

On average the trucker sits all day hauling loads across country.  I have a friend who is now resigned from the job would told me he has been to every state in America except Alaska and Hawaii.  The galloping and bumping action of the eighteen wheelers alone obstructs many metabolic processes such as digestion and elimination. 

They are, therefore, at a high risk of developing hemorrhoids, prostrate problems, indigestion, asthma, GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease); plus their poor diets and also poor absorption of nutrients take it to a higher level.  Not to mention poor sleeping habits: a precursor to high blood pressure.

Truckers need tons of supplements to get by.  A good probiotic- to maintain intestinal flora, digestive enzymes- to ensure proper digestion/absorption of nutrients, high antioxidants- to combat free radical damage, an adaptogen- to support stress mechanisms, a high fiber diet or supplement, and a good multiple mineral and vitamin supplement- to aid metabolic processes.

1.  Carpentry
All the damages to health by the jobs on our list from 10 to two do not compare to the brain damage carpenters and furniture finishers suffer.  The major culprit here is the finishing solvents.  That is some toxic chemical that causes serious brain damage.  Dr. Daniel Amen, of the Amen Clinics, a renowned brain doctor likened the damage from these solvents to that caused by hard drugs.

“They are doing hard drugs without even knowing it” Dr. Amen says.  Once you can smell the solvents it is in your brain and entire respiratory system already.  I met a lady whose dad is a very good carpenter.  Upon hearing this, a client of mine admitted her dad, a carpenter and frequent finishing solvent user, always seemed high and goofy.  The man is an ardent drug addict without even realizing it.

It is indeed a sad thing: we take jobs and careers to help us pay the cost of staying healthy, among other things, and end up incurring more health problems.  No one needs such a job; I don’t care how much your salary is. 

This is how it plays out: you are pretty much healthy, until you take a job in a factory or as a trucker.  “Just for a year or two” you tell yourself.  Eighteen months later you are so sick from all the negative effects it metes out on your body.   So you do well to quit, after 27 months, but the symptoms of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and even cancer do not quit your health! 

They stay with you, and what’s more?  You still have medical bills that you are unable to pay; more doctor visits to come; and your health condition prevents you from getting another job, or moving on with your career and other plans; that is if it does not kill you first.  Give me healthy and broke any day!

Let us be wise in our choices, we have only one body, one health and one chance to keep it and enjoy life.  I am not saying quit your job.  That is entirely up to you.  I am only saying be aware; and there are things you can do to protect yourself from bigger, chronic problems in the future.  Remember: it is not enough to survive…you must thrive!

How many times have you taken time out to really breathe?  How about time off to eat?!  Uhuh, you get the idea!  We need to fill up our air tanks (lungs) as often as we can, especially because air cannot be stored for use later!

How & Why
Breathing is vital to overall health
When we breathe, oxygen enters the lungs and is delivered to the bloodstream and then to every cell in the body.  It combines with nutrients (food) and is processed for energy.  Waste material produced in the form of carbon dioxide is eliminated through the same channel when we exhale. 

This, in a nutshell, is the process of respiration.  Therefore, the organs of the respiratory system such as the nose, mouth, trachea, other air passage ways, and lungs need to be clear of obstructions to deliver as much oxygen to the bloodstream as possible. 

Translation: the more oxygen delivered to cells; the more energy produced.

This is one good reason to fill up the lungs with air by deep-breathing (Here’s how).  Since we require a lot of energy to stay alive, the entire chest: from collar bone to the bottom of the rib cage is dedicated to respiration.  Therefore, surface area is important to the respiratory system and its organs, especially the loading and off-loading docks (the lungs).

Did U know?
When spread out flat, the lungs will cover one half of a tennis court?  The entire half including the doubles line (for men), or just the singles half (for women) on average.  This is indicative of how much oxygen the body needs to thrive.  Taking time to breathe deeply, filling the lungs with air is known to solve an array of health problems including indigestion, headache, gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD), and insomnia.

Unfortunately, there are many unwanted particles in the air we breathe that the respiratory system is sometimes over tasked in its filtration job.  Equipped with mucous membranes, the walls of the air passage ways trap dust, germs, pollutants, and other tiny particles in mucus so they don’t get enter the bloodstream. 

It does not stop there; the system is equipped with tiny microscopic threadlike projections, called cilia that literally sweep mucus-trapped particles up the throat to be eliminated via the digestive tract and down the colon.  This process is repeated when unwanted or harmful particles (including some foods) are ingested into the digestive tract.  They get trapped in mucus to prevent harmful effects.  This is why in Traditional Chinese Medicine the lungs are viewed as back-up for the digestive system.

Breathe and live.

As the lungs produce mucus to trap unwanted particles from the air and push them up the digestive tract; there are also unwanted particles from the digestive tract.  This result in congestion in air passage ways, especially when other elimination channels (e.g. the colon) are sluggish or congested themselves.  Diet is often the culprit of most respiratory problems.  See more on dietary changes for respiratory health on our tips page.

While the respiratory system backs up the digestive system, the lymphatic system (an integral part of the immune system) backs up the respiratory system.  White blood cells (the body’s main defense) are carried by lymphatic fluids, and lymphatic wastes are discharged into the colon.  Again, if there is an obstruction in the colon, the wastes are flushed into the lungs (see more on “Channels Of Elimination”).

The result: congestion, and breathing problems.  Less oxygen in cells and increased microbial activity increases in the lymph nodes (lymphatic “bus stops” mainly located in the groin, armpits and neck area) stir up all sorts of problems, such as runny nose, sinusitis, earaches, coughs, bronchitis, and asthma.  See more on asthma here.

Also, poor oxygenation weakens the immune system partly because harmful microbes such as bacteria and cancer cells thrive in a poorly oxygenated environment.  This respiratory-digestive-lymphatic-immune connection holds the key to respiratory health.

Bottom line
A healthy and efficient respiratory system means well oxygenated cells, and thus an overall healthy body.

Experts suggest normal breathing on average only fills up one third of the lungs with air, and therefore the entire body functions at a third of its capacity.  Everyone should deep breath as often as possible every day. 

Here’s how:

Lie comfortably on your back.  Put one hand on your chest and one on your stomach. 
Slowly inhale through the nose and feel your stomach expand with your hand.  Slowly exhale through the mouth and feel stomach contract. 
Count to four, (four seconds) on each phase:
Inhale to a four-count, hold air in lungs for a four-count and exhale slowly to a four-count. 

The key is to relax, slowly breath and feel the lung-action.  If your shoulders rise when you inhale, you are not performing it properly.  You are to flex the diaphragm rather than breathing shallowly by flexing your rib cage. This deep breathing is marked by expansion of the stomach (abdomen) rather than the chest when breathing. It is generally considered a healthier and fuller way to ingest oxygen.

Performing deep breathing regularly is therapeutic, and can become a standard way of breathing.

Asthma sufferers experience constriction of the airways (the bronchial tubes leading to the lungs), which reduces airflow in and out of the lungs.  The result: airways inflame, narrow, and fill up with mucus; which leads to difficult breathing, panic, shortness of breath, vomiting, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and sometimes suffocating.

Did U Know?
More than 15million Americans, children and adults, have asthma?  Triggers of asthma attacks have grown rapidly, with air quality (allergens in the air, pollen, pet dander, smoke, etc) taking the lead.  Asthma is now a real health hazard, especially in metropolitan cities.

See WebMD’s 10 Worst Cities For Asthma.  Hope your city does not make the list!

While there is no known cause or cure for the condition (because it is not a disease), triggers of an attack are constantly growing.  Triggers are often identifiable, and the condition can be controlled to reduce the intensity and frequency of attacks.  Usually, children outgrow the condition.

Types of asthma
All types of asthma (allergic asthma, exercise-induced asthma, cough-variant asthma, occupational asthma, and nocturnal asthma) can be grouped into two broad categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. 

Extrinsic asthma, the more common type, is a respiratory condition triggered by allergic reactions to external agents such as molds, pollen, dust mites, pet hair, drugs (especially aspirin), smoke (cigarette smoke, smoke from fireplaces or wood stoves); exercise, foods (e.g. eggs, shellfish, Garlic, wheat, sugar, cow’s milk, soy, peanuts, salads, and fresh fruits), thunderstorms, cockroach excrement, rat urine, athlete’s foot (trichophyton fungus), perfume, including those smelly perfume-sample strips bound into magazines, and food additives such as food colors, preservatives, and MSG (monosodium glutamate).

Intrinsic asthma, on the other hand, is triggered by internal factors such as genetics, infections (e.g. colds and flu), pollutants (e.g. heavy metals), vaccinations, stress (usually emotional), and adrenal dysfunction.  Intrinsic asthma is usually connected to one or more organs in the body.  This is often true with heart trouble and kidney disease.  In most cases, intrinsic asthma improves only when the affected organ is nourished and/or treated.

Asthma triggers
Any number of things can spark an asthma attack, from allergies to thunderstorms, and even a memory.  Identifying asthma triggers is the first step to gaining control of your asthma.

The most common trigger is allergies.  Half of all people over age 30 who have asthma also have allergies.  Triggers of asthma symptoms vary for different people.  However, one thing is consistent with attacks: airways come in contact with a trigger; the airways become inflamed, narrow, and fill with mucus.

Determining the prevailing factors at the onset of an attack is the first step to identifying an asthma trigger.  Although there are many different asthma triggers, you may not react to all of them. Some people have only one trigger, while others have many.  A history of reaction, and skin or blood testing can help identify triggers.

Using a peak flow meter may also help narrow down trigger suspects.  A peak flow meter measures how much and how quickly air is exhaled from the lungs. It can alert you to changes in your breathing and the onset of asthma symptoms.

Once triggers are identified, for Pete’s sake, avoid them!  Some asthma sufferers still deny their pet’s hair is trigger for them.  Household cleaners too, are another trigger asthma sufferers do not readily admit to.  Hello ladies, that’s one way to get your husbands to do the scrubbing!

Air borne triggers make some cities more risky than others.  See worst cities for asthma.

Asthma control
Controlling asthma requires paying attention to various body systems.  Asthma is both a respiratory problem and a nervous/glandular system problem.  Asthmatics typically have respiratory congestion associated with anxiety or panic which causes constriction of the airways.  Most asthmatics also have a hiatal hernia, which is also a symptom of nervous stress.

Decongestants, expectorants and other techniques can help you gain control over asthma so you can thrive.  For more information see “exercising with asthma” and “tips on respiratory health”.

Strengthening the digestive system may also be required.  Digestive enzymes or digestive tonics are often helpful.  Asthma sufferers almost always have acid reflux, GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease), heartburn, and insomnia; all of which are related to the digestive, respiratory, and nervous systems.

Control asthma; don’t let it control you.

The symptoms of heart attacks and high blood pressure (hypertension) can very easily go unnoticed until they become severe.  High blood pressure (or BP) increases the risk of stroke.  Be sure you know what goes on inside your rib cage.

Did U know?
That your heart is exactly the same size as your clenched fist?  This presents a lot of concern for a lot of people, especially the obese.  Pumping blood to every area of the body, all day everyday for bodies that large is usually way too much work for a muscle (the heart) that small. 

How & why
Your heart may need some help.

The heart pumps blood to all parts of the body.  The blood carries nutrients to various organs and cells.  We get everything we need to survive in the blood.  Therefore, it goes without saying that we want our blood-heart connection to be in perfect condition. 

There are three things to consider here:
The heart – strength and therefore the ability to pump as much blood as needed for a long, long time (say up to 100 years!).

The blood vessels (veins and arteries) – channels through which blood flows must maintain elasticity, and allow free flow.  When they stiffen or become hardened with fatty deposits and arterial plaque (arteriosclerosis), hypertension results.  Finally, the blood – volume and viscosity (which varies with physical condition and age) of the blood affects the entire mechanism.

Blood pressure is all about the heart.  If the heart pumps blood to the entire body, you are generally okay.  But it is not that easy for the heart.  It has to fight against clogged arteries that work against it.  When arteries obstruct  free blood flow due to arterial plaque, there is more pressure on the heart to pump blood leading to high BP.  A supplement comprising powerful blend of vitamins and minerals called Mega-Chel is effective in clearing up arterial plaque.

Coupled with lack of exercise, the heart becomes weaker and is less effective at its job.  Our herb of the month, Hawthorn is the best in the business of heart muscle development.  There is also the problem of blood viscosity.  Thick blood is obviously “heavier” to pump than thin blood.  This is why blood types A and B with thicker bloods are more prone to hypertension (high blood pressure).  The thicker the blood; the more work the heart d has to perform. 

Translation: blood and arterial conditions mount an attrition on the heart.

Other factors that elevate BP levels include fluid retention (edema), stress, toxicity of the liver and lymphatic system, heavy metal contamination, lack of exercise, poor diet, excess weight, and syndrome X (or hyperinsulinemia).  Edema can be addressed with herbs like Cornsilk, Parsley, and Hawthorn.  Some stress-reducing herbs are Ginseng, Astragalus, and Passion Flower  (see more on stress and weight management).

See helpful tips to deal with high blood pressure here.

On the flip side, low blood pressure can also be a serious condition.  It may result in fatigue, fainting or dizziness.  It can be caused by slow circulation, low thyroid function, blood loss, dehydration, mineral imbalance, or slow circulation.  Blood pressure, high or low, can be deadly.  A frequent BP check would not be unnecessary, though medical professionals advocate a BP check of once a year, for normal range BP; more frequently as required by your doctor.

Bottom line:
Blood pressure problems can be deadly, gaining control of blood pressure is critical to cardiovascular health.

It is important to know exactly what the numbers are saying:

Blood Pressure numbers
Blood pressure numbers display as a high number over a lower number (e.g. 130/85).  The top (higher) number is known as the systolic blood pressure which measures the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood into circulation.  It is the greatest force at which the blood travels through the veins and arteries.

The bottom (lower) number is called the diastolic pressure, measuring the pressure when the heart is at rest: in between contractions.  Thus, it is the lowest force at which the blood travels. 

Blood pressure is determined by seeing how high the force of the blood pumping through the arteries in the arm can push a column of mercury.  If the test records 120/80 (0ptimal BP), that means the blood pushed the mercury in the sphygmomanometer (BP measuring device) up to a height of 120mm when the heart contracted; and 80mm when it rested.

Blood Pressure Ranges
Optimal BP      - 110-120/70-80
Normal BP       –  130/85
High normal       –  130-139/85-89
High BP                –  over 140/90
Severely high    –  over 180/115

Many factors come to play in elevating blood pressure levels: heart, blood vessels, diet, habits, age, health and fitness, and so on.  However, doing a self check can help detect problems before they escalate.  Home heart rate monitors are inexpensive, easy to use, and accurate.  For someone recently diagnosed with hypertension, checking blood pressure several times a week is recommended.

To ensure an accurate reading, sit quietly for at least 10 minutes before taking your pulse.  Caffeine, anxiety, rushing up a flight of stairs, or even just going to the doctors office, or thinking about your bill can raise blood pressure levels temporarily.  So sitting still for a few minutes will allow blood pressure to settle back down.

To find your resting heart rate, press a pressure point like on the side of the neck under the ear, or the index and middle fingers over the underside of the opposite wrist, just below the thumb. Press down gently to feel a pulse. Count the beats for 15 seconds, and multiply by four.  The number you get is your resting heart rate.  See BP Ranges for safe levels.

2.  A Healthy heart rate, at rest, should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
True.  Heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute is normal.  However, higher than 80 may indicate a high risk of other serious health concerns such as obesity and heart disease.

3.  A racing pulse results only from stress.
False.  Stress can elevate heart rate up to 100 beats per minute (tachycardia), but so does smoking, high caffeine consumption, fever, dehydration, thyroid disease or anemia.  Whatever the case, an unexplained resting heart rate above 80 beats per minute should be paid professional medical attention.

4.  A slow heart rate indicates a weak heart.
False.  Contrary to popular belief, a slow heart rate indicates a healthy heart.  Slow heart rates means that the heart is not working too hard to pump blood.  Translation: the heart is strong enough not to work as hard to do its job.  Take this illustration:  a two-year old kid will work so hard to lift a gallon of milk, while an adult will not work as hard but gets the job done.

Stronger hearts, like those of athletes, have slower rates than weaker ones.  It goes without saying that exercise strengthens the heart, and enables it not to work as hard.  Resting rates between 40 and 60 indicates strong hearts (like those of athletes).  Lance Armstrong, for example, records a resting rate of 32.

However, slow heart rates in the elderly does not indicate strength, but may be symptom of heart disease.

5.  A normal heart rate means normal blood pressure.
False.  Blood pressure is not dependent on resting heart rate, a person can have a normal resting heart rate and still have high BP; and vice versa.  Heart rate and blood pressure are not the same.  However, a healthy heart is better able to pump blood to the entire body, and cope than a weak one.