Merck and Schering-Plough just made their study even bigger, delaying it a year to 2012 and making it so statistically powerful that it can detect whether Zetia reduces heart attacks and strokes by as little as 9%.

FORBES: How Low Can Vytorin Go?

Diadexus drew headlines last month when it helped identify what may be a new risk factor in heart disease: a little-known protein produced by the body that can double the risk of heart attacks.

FORBES: Divining Disease

At 48 she'd had no previous symptoms of heart disease, but all the warning signs were there -- she smoked, was overweight, got little exercise, and had a stressful job and a family history of heart attacks.

CNN: Time to read the signs: Symptoms of heart attacks in women