Blood Vessel X-Rays

What are X-rays of the Blood Vessels?

X-rays are a common imaging test that uses small amounts of high-energy electromagnetic radiation to produce images for doctors to view the inside of the body. The level of exposure is considered safe for adults. It is not considered safe for a developing fetus so it is very important that a pregnant patient informs a physician of their pregnancy before having an X-ray taken.

X-rays pass through skin and soft tissue mostly, but do not pass through bone or metal easily. As different tissues in the body absorb different amounts of radiation, the images will show different shades of black and white.

An X-ray of the blood vessels can be seen during a chest X-ray. An injection of contrast material that contains iodine helps highlight sections of the circulatory system to make them visible on X-rays.

Reasons for a Blood Vessel X-Ray:

X-rays are used for a multitude of reasons. A physician may order an X-ray to check for certain cancers in different parts of the body by detecting abnormal tumors, growths or lumps.

A blood vessel X-ray is used to view the area of the body where a patient is experiencing pain, swelling, or other abnormalities that require an internal view of the organs. The X-ray can help a physician find a cause for the problems occurring.

X-rays can be used to diagnose a disease, monitor the progression of the disease, determine a treatment plan, and see the effect of a treatment plan.

Physicians use X-rays to locate foreign objects within the body and to guide them in setting broken bones.

A Blood Vessel X-Ray may help diagnose (find):

An X-ray of the blood vessels can detect blocked blood vessels.

Blood vessel X-rays may reveal aortic aneurysms or other blood vessel problems.

X-rays of the blood vessels can reveal congenital heart disease.