ABC News reports on his coronary artery disease:

In the mid ’90s, Lay was put on a cholesterol-lowering statin drug. Around five years ago, his coronary disease had progressed to a point where his doctors decided to put in at least one stent – a wire mesh device – in one of his arteries to try to prevent a future heart attack. A source told ABC News at the time the stent was put in that Lay had what was described as stable coronary disease.

In other words, he was not viewed as at imminent risk for a heart attack, but the stent was put in as a protective measure. Lay was treated by cardiologists at the University of Texas at Houston, and had also been treated with aspirin and given a modified diet for his heart disease.

Mr. Lay pretty much did everything he could to prevent a fatal MI – a stent, statin and aspirin. Maybe it was the stress. Or perhaps his time was up.