A chest X-ray is an important tool for detecting heart or lung related issues. An X-ray, also known as a radiograph, provides vital information for medical diagnosis. Chest X-rays offer early detection for various heart and lung diseases, whose symptoms cannot be observed in other tests such as pulmonary function testing. Interpreting the chest X-ray requires expert physicians, which can detect problems such as collapsed lungs, fluid in lungs, pneumonia, heart enlargement or heart failure in addition to determining bone fractures.

Chest X-rays can be scheduled at periodic intervals for employees exposed to working conditions that might cause heart or lung problems. They are used in several health-screening programs for finding subtle cases of occupational lung diseases such as pneumoconiosis, silicosis, asbestosis or chalicosis.

Chest X-rays supplement the modern medical devices by providing a pictorial view of the lungs, heart and bone structure of the patient. It provides vital information about the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems such as the lungs, heart and blood vessels. In addition to this, chest X-rays are completely painless, fast and inexpensive. Chest X-rays do not require surgery, and can provide internal view of the body at minimal risk.

Chest X-rays can be prescribed by the physician when the patient is experiencing pain in the chest, relentless coughing, breathing issues, heart murmur or chest injury. In such cases, the patient will have to take a chest X-ray in addition to the routine physical examination. The medical history of the patient and the radiograph will provide vital information in case a heart or lung disease is suspected.

Chest X-rays has a variety of diagnostic uses, and can provide crucial information about abnormal heart size and shape, fluid around heart, heart valve issues, heart failure, blood vessels problems for aorta, pulmonary arteries and veins, congenital heart issues, presence of calcium deposits in blood vessels, lungs or heart, lung abnormalities such as fluids retention, infection or cancer.

Chest X-rays require to be taken by qualified technicians in a standardized facility using quality-controlled equipments. A chest radiography program is often used for employees working in environments that might lead to heart and lung diseases. The chest X-ray equipment requires high voltage for its operation, and can be a timed device. Chest X-rays are usually developed immediately, in order to ensure that the positioning of the patient is accurate. Any errors in the chest X-ray due to technique can also be corrected immediately since the patient is present. This ensures the quality of the radiograph.

Chest X-rays need to be taken by qualified medical technicians who have been certified as an ARRT or American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Medical professionals need to be certified as B readers by the American Board of Radiology, in order to interpret radiographic images. In addition, cases with pneumoconiosis need to adhere to the standards laid down by International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses. Classification standards are used to record and classify cases comprising of chest diseases, due to causes such as dust or toxic substances.

References: http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=chestrad&bhcp=1