Are TMT/ Stress tests any good?

[healthfreak40]

Hi:
I am 40, male, mild smoker of 20 years and occasional heavy drinker. BP is 120/80, Sugar is normal.
I exercise and lead a active life (run about 5 miles every day). My health checks of past 7-8 years (stress (TMT) test etc.) have always come clean. I had no major health problems till date.
I also used to have some chest pain several times in past years-which was promptly shown to a specialist who concluded it as acidity or muscle pain problem (normal EKG were recorded every time I had chest pain). My blood tests are fine as well, with triglicerides (triglycerides) mildly elevated.
Once after a long stressfull flight, I had chest pain for an hour or so, which was again shown to cardiologists, and they said it was related to some flight condition, and was non-cardiac. (I sure looked like a heart attack to me!)

Do you think I should continue these tests, or do something more advanced this year? My physician has advised against it.
Recently a Harvard educated-health freak-non smoker/drinker friend of mine died because of cardiac arrest (in minutes). This has scared me a lot-on both counts. Condition of my heart and conditions of the medical testing technologies. Are TMT tests any good at all?
I am also training to run a half marathon. So would it be a good idea to have some endurance tests done for the heart?
Thanks in advance.

[mammo]

healthfreak....NOT!  You are a smoker and occassional heavy drinker, you are not a health freak.  This will and may be already catching up with you.  Smoking does an incredible amount of damage to you cardiovascular system which is irreversible.  I know of no cause of chest pain due to flying in a pressurized plane.  Tim Russert died the day of having a good stress test!  I would get further testing and quit the smoking.  I'm sure your cardiologist has addressed the risks that go along with smoking, if not, he must have his eye on a new Porsche!

[healthfreak40]

I realize I did not mention that I am off booze and smoke for past 5 months. Also, in those 20  years, 6 were without  smoke and booze, as well.
I do accept the point where in damage is done to the system, sometimes irreversible.
What I cannot understand is it should show up in some routine health checkup tests?
I had a friend who never smoked and drank, exercised regularly for 22 years, and was ultra diet conscious. Used to spend a lot of money on annual testing too. couldnt survive five minutes of "massive cardiac arrest". Doctors said "too much stress". Surely, stress  would have pushed up BP?
Maybe you can miss a symptom or a condition in a round of test or two. But how can something of this magnitude be missed if the guy is testing for maybe 10 years?

[healthfreak40]

Saw a cardiologist for endurance test. He did a echo test and dropped the idea of further testing, says my cardiovascular functions are as fine as they get. resting HR is 54, and I can push my heart to its limits without any worries (I was worried because I am going to run a lot of half marathons this season)
Have quit smoking, but its difficult to stay off nicotine. Everyday is a challenge. I dread passing by my store that sells smokes. Any advice, friends? Anyone who has quit smoking?