Chest X-ray

A chest X-ray allows doctors to examine the heart, lungs and chest wall. If you have symptoms such as shortness of breath a chest X-ray may help doctors to find out whether it is due to a heart condition, for example an enlarged heart. If your doctor thinks you may have a heart condition, they will probably arrange for you to have other tests.

Having an chest X-ray is painless. You should tell your doctor or radiographer if you are pregnant as they may suggest you avoid having a chest X-ray early on in a pregnancy.

For more information on chest X-rays and what happens, and other tests for the heart, please see our booklet Tests for heart conditions.