A stress test is a common screening that is designed to evaluate your overall cardiac health. Stress tests can establish a baseline of cardiac function, as well as diagnose significant arterial blockages. Stress tests will use an electrocardiogram (EKG) machine to monitor your heart activity. Most patients will not require stress tests on a regular basis. However, those who have had previously had a cardiac event such as a heart attack or blood clot may wish to undergo regular monitoring using an EKG stress test as a measure of their cardiac activity. Stress tests should not be painful. However, you will be required to have small electrodes attached to your body. There can be some discomfort as the electrodes are removed because of their adhesive nature, especially if you have an excess of body hair in the required attachment areas.