Health Management for Older Adults III - Early Evaluation of Patients with Chest Pain -- Chest X-Ray

< i > Early Evaluation of Patients with Chest Pain -- Chest X-Ray

A chest x-ray is usually performed in most patients with chest pain. However the x-ray has a very low yield for a diagnosis unless one suspects pneumothorax. A widened mediastinum due to aortic dissection or calcium in the coronary arteries can also be picked up on a routine chest x-ray.

However, the presence of calcium in the coronary arteries does not equate with myocardial ischemia but it is a piece of evidence that would make one suspicious. The absence of coronary calcium has no importance whatsoever in the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia.