Health Information
Chest X-Ray
What Affects the Test
Reasons why the test results may not be helpful include:
- Not being able to stay still and hold your breath when asked during the test.
- Metal objects (such as spinal fixation rods and metal jewelry or belts) that get in the way of the X-ray picture.
- Obesity, which can hide chest problems or make it hard to get a good X-ray picture.
- Chest pain that can make it hard for you to take a deep breath during the X-ray.
- Scarring from past lung surgery or changes from a chronic disease, which may make the X-ray pictures hard to read.
A picture taken with a portable machine may not be as clear as those made by a stationary machine.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference June 11, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Howard Schaff, MD - Diagnostic Radiology |
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