What Can a Chest X-Ray Show?

Chest X-rays are quick, noninvasive imaging tests that provide a detailed picture of the structures inside your chest, including your heart, lungs, airways, and bones.

A chest X-ray is often one of the first steps your doctor might recommend when evaluating symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent cough, or fatigue. And at NJ Cardiovascular Institute, Kunal Patel, MD, and his team use chest X-rays as part of a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and monitoring a wide range of heart conditions.

When your doctor might recommend a chest X-ray

Dr. Patel may refer you for a chest X-ray if you’re experiencing new or unexplained symptoms like shortness of breath, chest discomfort, persistent coughing, or fatigue. It’s also a standard part of many routine cardiac evaluations and preoperative assessments.

Because chest X-rays are fast, accessible, and carry minimal radiation exposure, they can be a reliable first step in identifying or ruling out serious health concerns.

During the procedure, you stand or lie still while a small amount of radiation captures detailed images of the structures inside your chest. The entire process usually takes just a few minutes and gives your care team the ability to closely evaluate your heart, lungs, and surrounding bones.

What chest X-rays can show

A few things we might evaluate are:

Changes in heart size and shape

One of the most important things a chest X-ray can reveal is the size and shape of your heart. An enlarged heart may indicate underlying conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, or cardiomyopathy.

If Dr. Patel suspects a cardiovascular issue, this simple imaging test can offer important clues about how well your heart is functioning and whether further testing — such as an echocardiogram or stress test — is needed.

Lung and airway conditions

Chest X-rays can also help evaluate your lungs and airways. They can detect infections like pneumonia, chronic conditions like COPD, or complications like fluid buildup in or around your lungs.

A chest X-ray may also show signs of lung nodules or masses that require additional imaging. If you’re experiencing respiratory symptoms, this test helps differentiate between heart-related and lung-related causes of discomfort.

Signs of fluid or inflammation

Sometimes chest pain or breathing issues are caused by fluid accumulation in the pleural space (pleural effusion) or around the heart (pericardial effusion). These conditions are often visible on a chest X-ray and help us make more informed decisions about your care.

Inflammation from infections or autoimmune diseases can also be identified through certain patterns visible on the image, guiding Dr. Patel toward an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan.

How well medical devices are working

If you have a pacemaker, defibrillator, or central venous catheter, a chest X-ray can confirm that the device is in the correct position. We also use chest X-rays to track the progress of a diagnosed condition or monitor how well a treatment is working.

At NJ Cardiovascular Institute, we use chest X-rays in conjunction with other diagnostic tools to provide complete, ongoing care for patients with chronic or complex conditions. If you’re experiencing symptoms — or if you have concerns about your heart or lungs — we’re here to help.

Schedule a consultation at one of our clinics in Elizabeth, Lakewood, Paramus, and Secaucus, New Jersey, and take the first step toward clarity and peace of mind when it comes to your heart health.