Chest x-rays are useful in picking up abnormal conditions involving the lungs, heart and great vessels.
It is typically performed as the first imaging test for symptoms of shortness of breath, persistent cough, chest pain, chest injury or fever. Pneumonia, heart failure, emphysema, lung cancer and other medical conditions can be diagnosed or suspected on a chest x-ray. Low doses of radiation are used to create an image of the chest.
Do not take a chest x-ray if you are or suspect that you are pregnant.