A chest X-ray allowsprovides some information aboutthe heart, lungs and chest wall.If you have symptoms such as shortness of breath a chestX-raymay be useful in indicating whether the cause is due to lung or heart problems.However, a chest x-ray gives limited information related mainly to the shape and size of structures that can be seen in outline by x-rays. More useful information about the heart can be obtained by tests such as an echocardiogram that show heart function as well as sturcture.
Having an chest X-ray is painless.The patient should tell the doctor or radiographer ifthey are or may bepregnant.
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