Chest X-Ray

A chest x-ray (or chest radiography) provides your doctor with an image of your heart, lungs, and surrounding organs. Getting an x-ray is really just having a picture taken, so the procedure is painless. An x-ray is usually performed in a hospital radiology department or in a doctor’s office by a technician. It may be ordered by your physician if you have a persistent cough or chest pain, as it is used to diagnose abnormalities in the heart and lungs. It is routinely ordered immediately prior to surgery.