A Chest X-Ray

Images Parts of the Cardiovascular System. A chest x-ray is taken to verify if the organs below the chest, the heart and the lungs aren't damaged.

The heart is located in between the two lungs near the center of the chest. By taking a picture of the chest an image of both the heart and the lung is created.

By viewing the X-rayi Images Doctors can see

The size and shape of the heart

An enlarged heart is a sign of a weakened heart, which is caused by various heart conditions.

An Chest X-ray can Show Calcium Deposits

Calcium is the substance of which bones are made up from. At times calcium deposits accumulate in the blood vessels, and in damaged heart muscle tissue.

These calcium deposits harden the arteries.As the calcium is made up of the same substance as the bones they show up in the x-ray, just like bones do.

If calcium deposits are found further testing is needed to verify the amounts of calcium deposits, and to see whether they are narrowing the arteries significantly.

A Chest X-ray can show the Condition of the lung

Swollen lungs can be an indicator that the heart isn't pumping efficiently. A weakened heart can cause the swelling of the lungs. The back pressure of the lungs blood vessels cause fluids to leak into the lungs air sacs, a condition called pulmonary edema. This can be caused by a heart attack.

X-rays are one of the several tests that are taken in the emergency room to determine the heart condition.

The other tests are EKG, blood enzymes, and if necessary an angiogram.