Chest X-Ray Medical Test

A chest x-ray is a projection radiograph, taken by a radiographer, of the thorax which is used to diagnose problems with that area. A chest x-ray makes images of the heart, lungs, airway, blood vessels and the bones of the spine and chest. It is a painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technician. Two views are usually taken: one in which the x-rays pass through the chest from the back, and one in which the x-rays pass through the chest from one side to the other. A chest x-ray may be ordered when a person's symptoms include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, a chest injury, or difficulty in breathing. Chest x-rays are generally avoided during the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy. The test is also used when tuberculosis, lung cancer, or other chest or lung disease is suspected.

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