Last Updated on July 17, 2026 by Daily News Staff

(Family Features) Most people think of heart attacks as debilitating pain in the chest. However, that’s not always the case, especially for women, and missing the signs can be a matter of life and death.

Although heart disease is the leading cause of death among American women, according to the American Heart Association, symptoms are often overlooked or explained away as less worrisome conditions.
“Men and women experience many aspects of life differently, and heart disease is no exception,” said LeAnne Bloedon, MS, RD, vice president of clinical development, Esperion Therapeutics. “Symptoms of a heart attack aren’t as obvious as many women think, and failing to recognize the danger and get help can have catastrophic results.”

One heart disease risk factor, for example, is high LDL cholesterol. Often referred to as a “silent killer,” it doesn’t always present noticeable symptoms. In fact, data suggests women with high LDL cholesterol are not diagnosed or treated as early or aggressively as men, which can put women at an increased risk for cardiovascular events. Understanding how men’s and women’s risk and symptoms differ may help identify and treat a serious heart health problem before it causes lasting damage.

Anatomy Differences
Some differences between men and women are present in the body’s internal systems, including the cardiovascular system. Women generally have smaller hearts and narrower blood vessels.

This can affect heart health in numerous ways, including less efficient stress responses and greater risk of widespread plaque buildup, especially in smaller vessels, called microvasculature, which can pose treatment challenges.

Cholesterol Buildup
Hormones influence aspects of the body’s function, including cholesterol levels. Estrogen, a female sex hormone, raises HDL (good) cholesterol levels. This may be why women tend to have more HDL cholesterol and lower LDL (bad) cholesterol than men, especially before they reach menopause, though inherited high cholesterol can affect women of all ages.

“It’s critical to raise awareness about the importance of measuring LDL cholesterol, diagnosing high cholesterol and treating elevated LDL cholesterol per guidelines and individual patient needs,” Bloedon said.

Risk Factors
While there are shared risk factors for heart disease among men and women (such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes), some risk factors disproportionately affect women. For example, uncontrolled cholesterol in women, particularly after menopause, can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Care and Treatment
“While you may not be able to fully prevent heart disease, you can understand the risks and take proactive steps,” Bloedon said. “Commit to a healthy, smoke-free lifestyle. Exercise regularly and eat a well-balanced diet with limits on processed foods, sugar, sodium and alcohol. Take any medications as directed by your health care provider.”

Statins, which reduce the production of cholesterol in the liver and lower cholesterol levels in the bloodstream, are the medications most often prescribed to help manage high LDL cholesterol. While generally well-tolerated, statin intolerance (the inability to take a statin at any dose or the recommended dose) does occur in some patients and is more common in women.

Talk with your doctor about other steps you can take to manage elevated LDL cholesterol levels and learn more about women’s heart health at goredforwomen.org.

Symptoms of Heart Attacks in Women
Women’s experiences with heart disease may be quite different from men.

For example, according to the Heart Disease Foundation, women are likely to be older when they experience a heart attack. They may also attribute symptoms to other conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis.

Further complicating matters, several diseases mimic heart attacks so getting to the root of the problem can be tricky. Women are more apt than men to experience a coronary spasm, coronary dissection or broken heart syndrome.

What to Watch For:

• Like men, women experiencing a heart attack may notice prolonged or reoccurring chest pain or pressure.
• In women, that pain may extend to the arms, back, neck, jaw and stomach.
• Some women experience shortness of breath with no chest pain at all.
• Other symptoms women are more likely to report can be easily mistaken for other conditions. Some of these signs include unexplained fatigue, disruptions to normal sleep patterns, lightheadedness, nausea and cold sweats.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

Esperion

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Why You Keep Applying—But Never Hear Back

If you’ve ever spent hours tailoring your résumé for a position only to hear nothing in return, you may have encountered what’s known as a ghost job.

A ghost job is a job posting that appears active but isn’t currently being filled. While not every old or inactive listing is intentionally misleading, many remain online long after hiring has paused—or even after the position has already been filled.

The result is growing frustration among job seekers and increasing questions about the accuracy of employment data.

What Exactly Is a Ghost Job?

A ghost job is an advertised position where an employer has little or no immediate intention of hiring someone.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the company is acting maliciously. There are several reasons these listings exist.

Companies may:

• Build a database of future candidates
• Test salary expectations and available talent
• Comply with internal hiring policies
• Maintain the appearance of growth
• Delay removing listings after a hiring freeze or filled position

For applicants, however, the experience is often the same: applications disappear into a black hole.

Why Companies Post Ghost Jobs

Some employers say maintaining job listings helps them prepare for future growth.

Others keep positions open because budgets haven’t been finalized or executive approval hasn’t been granted.

Recruiters may also continue collecting résumés so they’re ready when a position eventually opens.

While these reasons may make business sense, they can create unrealistic expectations for applicants actively searching for work.

The Impact on Job Seekers

Ghost jobs can have real consequences.

Many applicants spend dozens of hours:

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• Researching companies
• Customizing résumés
• Writing cover letters
• Completing assessments
• Participating in interviews that never lead anywhere

The emotional toll can be significant.

Repeated silence often leaves qualified workers questioning their experience or abilities when the issue may simply be that the position was never actively available.

How Ghost Jobs Affect the Economy

The effects extend beyond individual applicants.

Employment Data Can Be Misleading

Job openings are often viewed as a sign of economic strength.

If a significant share of posted openings aren’t being actively filled, the labor market may appear stronger than it actually is.

That can influence:

• Business confidence
• Consumer confidence
• Economic forecasts
• Public policy discussions

Productivity Suffers

Job seekers spend valuable time applying for positions that may never result in interviews.

Recruiters also spend time managing applications for jobs that aren’t immediately available.

Those inefficiencies create costs for both workers and employers.

Hiring Becomes Less Efficient

When applicants lose trust in job boards, they’re less likely to apply broadly.

Companies with legitimate openings may receive fewer qualified applicants because candidates become skeptical of online listings.

Are Ghost Jobs Illegal?

Generally, no.

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In most cases, employers are legally allowed to advertise positions even if they’re not hiring immediately.

However, critics argue that intentionally leaving inactive jobs online without updating their status reduces transparency and wastes applicants’ time.

Some employment experts have called for greater accountability and clearer labeling of inactive or future hiring opportunities.

How to Spot a Ghost Job

While there’s no foolproof method, these warning signs may indicate a listing isn’t actively being filled:

• The same position has been reposted for months.
• The posting never disappears.
• Employees report hiring freezes.
• The company rarely responds to applicants.
• The job description is vague or unusually generic.

Tips for Job Seekers

Instead of applying blindly:

• Focus on recently posted openings.
• Connect with recruiters or current employees.
• Research whether the company is actually expanding.
• Use networking alongside online applications.
• Follow up professionally when possible.

Quality applications often produce better results than sending hundreds of résumés.

Looking Ahead

Artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever for applicants to submit hundreds of applications—and for employers to post and manage thousands of job listings.

As hiring becomes increasingly automated, transparency may become one of the most valuable qualities in the recruiting process.

For both employers and job seekers, trust remains the foundation of a healthy labor market.

Related Links

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS)
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
• Indeed Career Guide
• LinkedIn Talent Blog
• CareerBuilder Advice & Resources
• Monster Career Advice

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Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Daily News Staff

(Feature Impact) When you picture a schoolchild sitting down at a cafeteria table and opening their lunchbox, you’re probably already imagining there’s a sandwich inside. After all, it’s a classic back-to-school staple that parents rely on for ease, convenience and nutrition when they’re trying to get everyone out the door on time – all you have to do is put bread and fillings together, and you’re good to go. That, of course, only leaves the question of which bread and fillings to choose.

A new survey conducted by Atomik Research on behalf of Nature’s Own indicated that modern parents care a lot about nutrition when deciding which kind of bread to buy, with 88% of survey respondents agreeing that feeding their kids wholesome bread feels like an easy parenting win.

With clean, simple ingredients that balance taste and nutrition, Nature’s Own bread supports an attainably healthy lifestyle for busy families. Whether you choose a classic white bread, reach for a whole-wheat loaf or need to account for dietary restrictions, you can feel confident you’re selecting bread that’s free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.

For a nutritious lunch that fits the bill for 85% of parents who show strong interest in breads made with whole grains, pack this Ham, Turkey, Bacon and Cheese Pocket made with honey wheat bread. The flavorful mixture of deli meats and American cheese baked to perfection make every bite satisfying. Consider getting the whole family involved assembly-line style to make multiple batches at once, cutting down on time in the kitchen during the week ahead while encouraging learning opportunities as kids count ingredients and measure fillings.  

Some school days call for simple, fun comfort food, and that’s where the Fluffernutter comes in. Soft bread, creamy peanut butter and fluffy marshmallow make for a combination that nourishes kids of all ages not just physically, but emotionally. Whether you pack it as a lunchbox surprise or have it ready as an after-school treat, this is a sandwich that promises sweetness and nostalgia – a perfect fit for the 78% of parents who agreed that sandwiches are a canvas for small moments of care, like notes in lunch bags.

Since sandwiches are so customizable, you can easily adapt these recipes to your family’s unique preferences and needs. Whether you decide to use different seasonings or swap to a multigrain bread, there’s no such thing as a wrong sandwich decision as long as it works for you.

To view ingredients and decide what kind of loaf you want to stock up on during the school year, visit naturesownbread.com.

Ham, Turkey, Bacon and Cheese Pocket

• 8          slices Nature’s Own Honey Wheat Bread
  
• 1/4       pound deli turkey
  
• 1/4       pound deli ham
  
• 4          slices cooked bacon
  
• 4          slices white American cheese
  
• 1          egg
  
• 1          tablespoon cold water
  
• 1          teaspoon coarse salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Chop turkey, ham and bacon and toss together. Set aside.
3. Using knife, cut off crust on each piece of bread.
4. With rolling pin, roll and flatten each slice of crustless bread. Take four slices and place spoonful of chopped meats in middle of each slice. Top with broken slices of cheese.
5. Place remaining slices of crustless bread on top of each pocket.
6. In small bowl, crack egg and add water. Beat together. Dip fork into egg mixture and crimp each edge of pocket until two slices are sealed together. Repeat on each pocket. Brush top of each pocket with remaining egg mixture and sprinkle salt on top.
7. Place on sheet pan and bake until golden brown, 7-10 minutes.
8. Let cool a few minutes and enjoy.

Fluffernutter Sandwich

Total time: 10 minutes

Servings: 1

• 2          tablespoons peanut butter
  
• 2          slices Nature’s Own Butterbread
  
• 2          tablespoons marshmallow fluff

1. Spread peanut butter on one bread slice. Spread marshmallow fluff on second slice. Put both slices together to form sandwich.

SOURCE:

Nature’s Own