By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    UV damage to eyes
    Warning Signs of Long-Term UV Damage to Your Eyes
    December 9, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    The Ultimate Healthcare Recruiting and Staffing Guidebook
    March 21, 2022
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    nursing program
    7 Tips to Picking the Best Nursing Program
    February 5, 2018
    Health Care: A Modern-Day Blade Runner?
    December 10, 2014
    Occupational Therapy Assistant | Medical Assistant | Home Health Aide
    In-Demand Healthcare Support Jobs
    April 16, 2016
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: So, You Need a Chest X-Ray: Here’s What to Expect
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > So, You Need a Chest X-Ray: Here’s What to Expect
SpecialtiesTechnology

So, You Need a Chest X-Ray: Here’s What to Expect

Ryan Kh
Last updated: January 31, 2018 5:57 pm
Ryan Kh
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

 

Contents
What Your Chest X-Ray Can Tell Your DoctorWhat the Procedure InvolvesThe Risks of Getting an X-Ray

A chest X-ray can be used to diagnose many problems with the chest, including heart failure, pneumonia, lung cancer, broken ribs, and other conditions. But if your doctor wants you to get a chest X-ray, you may be wondering what to expect. Will it hurt? Will it take long? Will you have to take off your shirt? What are the risks? These are all common questions people have before getting a chest X-ray, especially if they’ve never had an X-ray before. Here’s what you need to know before you go in for your procedure:

What Your Chest X-Ray Can Tell Your Doctor

X-rays can be and often are used to diagnose broken bones, but that’s not the only purpose a chest X-ray can serve. A chest X-ray can help your doctor diagnose problems with your heart or the blood vessels in your chest; your lungs or the rest of your airway; or even the bones in your chest and spine.

X-rays work by using radiation to take pictures that let doctors see the structures inside your body. The radiation passes through soft tissues, like skin and muscle, and these areas appear dark on the resulting image. However, denser tissues, like bones and the thick muscles of the heart, block some of the radiation, so that these areas appear lighter on the resulting picture. Fluid build-up in or around the organs also blocks the passage of radiation, so that if you’re suffering from congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, or similar conditions, your doctor will be able to tell from looking at the X-ray, because areas of the picture that should appear dark will appear lighter.

More Read

Posner: Use Research Dollars to Make Life Better, But Not Longer
The PCMH and Home Care Data: An Interview with Melissa McCormack
HIPAA & Health IT: $872 Million in Incentives
What Are the Benefits of Dental Veneers and How Do They Work?
What Are the Benefits of PDO Thread Lifts?

Some things that your doctor can see on an X-ray include:

  • Cancer, infections, or unusual deposits of air in the pneumothorax, or space surrounding the lungs
  • Chronic lung diseases like cystic fibrosis or emphysema, and potential complications of these illnesses
  • Lung problems caused by heart conditions, like pulmonary edema caused by congestive heart failure
  • Heart problems, including problems with your heart valves, pericardial effusion, and changes in the shape or size of the organ
  • Calcium deposits in or around your heart or lungs
  • Conditions affecting the blood vessels around your heart
  • Broken ribs or vertebrae

Your doctor may also want to use a chest X-ray to monitor your recovery from a chest X-ray, or to verify the correct placement of a catheter, defibrillator, or pacemaker.

What the Procedure Involves

You will have to get undressed from the waist up in order to get a chest X-ray. You’ll also need to take off any jewelry you might be wearing, because that can obscure the final image. You’ll be given an exam gown to wear during the procedure.

Getting a chest X-ray doesn’t hurt. An X-ray technician will position you in front of the X-ray machine and may ask you to change positions so that multiple images can be taken, allowing your doctor to view your chest from the front, back or side. For the front-view image, the technician will probably ask you to hold your arms out to the sides, or straight overhead, and hunch your shoulders forward. You’ll need to be able to hold your breath for a few seconds while the image is being taken, because this allows for a clearer picture of your heart and lungs. You may need to repeat this process for the side and back views.

The Risks of Getting an X-Ray

While many people worry about the risk of being exposed to radiation during an X-ray, chest X-rays are a relatively low-risk procedure. You’re only exposed to a very low amount of radiation during a chest X-ray. In fact, you’re exposed to more radiation every day through natural environmental sources, like sunlight.

However, if you need more than one X-ray, your doctor may give you a protective apron to wear to minimize your risk of exposure to radiation. You should also tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, or think you might be pregnant. It’s considered safe to have an X-ray done while you’re pregnant, especially because a chest X-ray shouldn’t expose your womb to radiation. Nevertheless, your doctor may want to take extra precautions to protect the developing fetus from radiation, either by giving you a protective apron to wear, or by potentially having you take a different kind of imaging test.

Getting a chest X-ray is painless, quick, and easy. The resulting images can help your doctor diagnose any of a range of problems that can affect the structures and organs of the chest. If you’re going in for a chest X-ray, don’t be nervous; it’s a standard procedure that carries little risk, and once you have the images taken, you’ll be able to go on with the rest of your day.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share
By Ryan Kh
Follow:
Ryan Kh is an experienced blogger, digital content & social marketer. Founder of Catalyst For Business and contributor to search giants like Yahoo Finance, MSN. He is passionate about covering topics like big data, business intelligence, startups & entrepreneurship. Email: ryankh14@icloud.com

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

Rising, Fading Technologies in the Global Market for Wound Closure

October 27, 2014
SpecialtiesWellness

Differentiating Between Myths And The Truth About Nootropics

April 30, 2019
CardiologySpecialties

3 Things To Consider When Looking For A Heart Doctor

July 16, 2019
Dental health

A Guide To Maintaining Oral Hygiene And Dental Health

November 20, 2019
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?