A simple chest X-ray (also called a roentgenogram, after Wilhelm Röentgen, who discovered the X-ray in 1895) is often the first imaging done of the heart. It is also the most commonly performed imaging procedure. According to the American Journal of Roentgenology, chest X-rays are taken in almost 20% of all Emergency Room visits: 22 million were done in 2003.

The X-ray exposure is minimal to the patient -- according to the American Heart Association, it's about 1/5 of the annual exposure one normally gets from natural sources, such as the sun.

Chest X-rays show the size, shape and position of the heart, lungs and bone structures of the chest. Sometimes your physician may order two views: a frontal and lateral (side) view.

A chest X-ray can be made at the patient's bedside, or in a dedicated room. The latest digital units eliminate film entirely and allow for wider coverage at low radiation levels.

The chest X-ray can tell your physician if your heart has defects, is enlarged, has significant calcification, pulmonary blood flow or if there is fluid in the lungs, sometimes the result of a heart attack. The chest X-ray is a preliminary procedure and is sometimes not necessary if the physician has ruled out congestive heart failure and heart defects, since the X-ray shows only the exterior shapes of the heart and surrounding areas. It does not image the interior chambers or arteries.

Who Does the Procedure: Chest X-rays are usually done by a Radiology Technologist (RT) and interpreted by a Radiologist.

Patient Preparation: No preparation is necessary before getting a chest X-ray, other than removing metal objects such as necklaces and other metallic objects. etc. It is very important to let the technologist know if you are pregnant: X-rays are not normally done on women who are pregnant. The amount of radiation exposure is small for an adult, but can affect a developing fetus.