Chest X-Ray

A chest X-ray is a quick, painless imaging test that uses a small amount of radiation to create pictures of the chest’s internal structures, including the heart, lungs, airways, blood vessels, and bones. It is one of the most commonly used diagnostic tools in medicine and helps doctors detect a variety of conditions such as infections (like pneumonia or tuberculosis), lung diseases (like COPD or cancer), heart problems, and fluid buildup.

During the procedure, the patient stands or lies against a flat surface while the X-ray machine captures images from different angles. The entire process usually takes only a few minutes. Chest X-rays are often the first step in diagnosing chest-related symptoms like persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or injury. They are safe for most people, but pregnant women should inform their doctor beforehand due to potential risks from radiation exposure.