Lay, who was at his vacation home in Aspen, Colo., when he was stricken, also had a little-publicized history of heart problems. He died of "severe coronary-artery disease," a condition characterized by clogged arteries, according to the Mesa County coroner, as reported by the Rocky Mountain News.

And ABC News reported that Lay had already suffered heart attacks, and had portable heart defibrillators in his houses and on his plane. He had been taking statins to lower his cholesterol, and, about five years ago, his doctors inserted a stent, apparently as a preventive measure.

All these medical details of one prominent man's death could help ease the public perception that stress by itself could bring on a fatal heart attack.