You'll need to remove jewelry from the waist up, too, since both clothing and jewelry can obscure the X-ray images. How you prepareīefore the chest X-ray, you generally undress from the waist up and wear an exam gown. The procedure can be performed in a way to protect your abdomen from the radiation. Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or might be pregnant. But the amount of radiation from a chest X-ray is low - even lower than what you're exposed to through natural sources of radiation in the environment.Įven though the benefits of an X-ray outweigh the risk, you may be given a protective apron if you need multiple images. You may be concerned about radiation exposure from chest X-rays, especially if you have them regularly.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C).

A chest X-ray usually is taken after placement of such medical devices to make sure everything is positioned correctly. Catheters are small tubes used to deliver medications or for dialysis. Pacemakers and defibrillators have wires attached to your heart to help control your heart rate and rhythm.

A pacemaker, defibrillator or catheter.

Your doctor can look at any lines or tubes that were placed during surgery to check for air leaks and areas of fluid or air buildup.

Chest X-rays are useful for monitoring your recovery after you've had surgery in your chest, such as on your heart, lungs or esophagus. Rib or spine fractures or other problems with bone may be seen on a chest X-ray. Calcified nodules in your lungs are most often from an old, resolved infection. Its presence may indicate fats and other substances in your vessels, damage to your heart valves, coronary arteries, heart muscle or the protective sac that surrounds the heart. Chest X-rays can detect the presence of calcium in your heart or blood vessels. Because the outlines of the large vessels near your heart - the aorta and pulmonary arteries and veins - are visible on X-rays, they may reveal aortic aneurysms, other blood vessel problems or congenital heart disease.

Changes in the size and shape of your heart may indicate heart failure, fluid around the heart or heart valve problems. For instance, fluid in your lungs can be a result of congestive heart failure. Chest X-rays can show changes or problems in your lungs that stem from heart problems. They can also show chronic lung conditions, such as emphysema or cystic fibrosis, as well as complications related to these conditions. Chest X-rays can detect cancer, infection or air collecting in the space around a lung, which can cause the lung to collapse. A chest X-ray can also be used to check how you are responding to treatment.Ī chest X-ray can reveal many things inside your body, including: A chest X-ray is often among the first procedures you'll have if your doctor suspects heart or lung disease.

Cervical spine x ray interpretation