Digital X-ray · Singapore
A chest X-ray takes a few minutes and shows the lungs, heart and chest wall. It is done on site at Wheelock Place for health screening and statutory medicals.
A quick picture of your lungs and heart, taken in seconds.
A chest X-ray is a quick imaging test that uses a small dose of radiation to take a picture of the lungs, heart, major blood vessels and ribs. You stand with your chest against the X-ray detector and hold your breath for a moment while a digital image is taken for reporting.
At Fusion Medical, a chest X-ray is included in the Silver, Deluxe, Gold, Diamond, Pearl and Opal health screening packages, and in the Breast & Women's Health and Liver & Cardiovascular packages. It is also available for work pass, pre-employment, student pass, visa and LTA vocational licence medicals, so the X-ray and blood tests can be done in one visit.
A chest X-ray can show signs of infection such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, fluid around the lungs, an enlarged heart outline or a spot in the lung that needs a closer look. It is a snapshot, not a complete lung check: small or early changes may not show, so your doctor reads it alongside your symptoms and other results.
How it works
X-rays pass through the body and are absorbed differently by different tissues: bone looks white, air-filled lung looks dark, and the heart and soft tissue appear grey. A digital detector captures the image, which is then reported. Your doctor goes through the findings with you and explains any next steps.
What a chest X-ray looks at
The lungs and airways, the outline of the heart, the major blood vessels, the diaphragm and the bones of the chest. It can show:
Chest stand and X-ray table
The X-ray room has an upright stand, used for chest X-rays, and an X-ray table. For a chest X-ray you stand facing the panel, take a deep breath and hold still for a moment while the image is taken.
Work pass, student and visa medicals
Many work pass, pre-employment, student pass and overseas visa medicals ask for a chest X-ray, and new LTA vocational licence applicants need one with a report signed by a radiologist, which we provide. With the X-ray room on site, the X-ray, blood tests and examination can be completed in one visit.
What a chest X-ray cannot show
Small or early changes may not be visible, and a normal X-ray does not rule out every lung or heart condition. It is not the recommended test for lung cancer screening: people at higher risk may be advised a low-dose CT scan instead.
Who it's for
Most people have a chest X-ray as part of a health screening or a medical examination for work, study or travel. Your doctor may also suggest one to look into symptoms such as a long-lasting cough or breathlessness.
Pregnant, or might be? Tell us before any X-ray.
A chest X-ray is included in the Fusion Silver, Deluxe, Gold, Diamond, Pearl and Opal packages.
Chest X-ray, blood tests and examination in one visit for work permit, employment pass and pre-employment check-ups.
For overseas visa, student pass and residency pass medicals that ask for a chest X-ray.
X-ray, ultrasound, treadmill and mammogram under one roof for insurance medical examinations.
The Liver & Cardiovascular package pairs a chest X-ray with resting and treadmill ECGs and an abdominal ultrasound.
Your X-ray, step by step
Book a health screening or statutory medical. Bring your NRIC, passport or pass, any forms from your employer, school or embassy, and previous X-ray reports.
Wear a top without metal fastenings, remove jewellery from the chest area, and tell us if you might be pregnant.
You stand against the chest stand, take a deep breath and hold still for a moment while the image is taken.
The image is reported. Your doctor goes through the findings with your other results, or completes your medical examination report.
Inside the clinic
Dr Juliana and Dr Wenus show the clinic's imaging services, including X-ray, mammography and ultrasound, all at Wheelock Place.
Safety & expectations
A chest X-ray is quick and uses a small dose of radiation. Tell us first if you are, or might be, pregnant.
Bring any previous chest X-ray reports so changes can be compared, and any medical forms from your employer, school or embassy. A normal chest X-ray is reassuring, but new or lasting symptoms still need a doctor's review.
Fusion Medical has an on-site X-ray room at Wheelock Place, 501 Orchard Road. Chest X-rays are done as part of our health screening packages and for statutory medicals such as work permit, employment pass, student pass, visa and LTA vocational licence check-ups, so the X-ray and blood tests can be completed in the same visit.
A chest X-ray shows the lungs, the outline of the heart, the major blood vessels, the diaphragm and the bones of the chest. It can reveal signs of infection such as pneumonia or tuberculosis, fluid around the lungs, an enlarged heart or a spot in the lung that needs follow-up. It cannot show everything, so it is read alongside your symptoms and other tests.
A chest X-ray is a low-risk test: the exposure lasts only a moment and uses a very small dose of radiation. According to Singapore General Hospital, the risks from this amount of radiation are minimal. If you are pregnant or think you might be, tell us before the X-ray so your doctor can decide whether it should go ahead or wait.
No, you don't need to fast for a chest X-ray itself. If your appointment also includes blood tests, as most health screenings do, you will usually be asked to fast for at least 8 hours beforehand, with plain water allowed. Wear a top without metal fastenings, or you can change into a gown.
The chest X-ray itself takes only a few minutes, including positioning, and the exposure lasts a moment while you hold your breath. If the X-ray is part of a full health screening, set aside around 2 to 4 hours for the whole visit, including blood tests and the doctor's consultation.
Many work permit, employment pass, pre-employment, student pass and overseas visa medicals ask for a chest X-ray, but requirements differ. New LTA vocational licence applicants also need one, with a report signed by a radiologist, which we provide. Check the form or letter from your employer, school or embassy and bring it along. Our team can confirm what your work pass or pre-employment medical needs and complete the X-ray, blood tests and examination in one visit.
A chest X-ray can sometimes show a lung spot that needs investigating, but small or early lung cancers may not be visible. According to the National Cancer Centre Singapore, low-dose CT is the recommended screening test for people at high risk: those aged 50 to 80 with a 20 pack-year smoking history who still smoke or quit within the last 15 years. Ask your doctor whether lung cancer screening suits you.
Your chest X-ray is reported, and your doctor goes through the findings with you, usually at your screening review together with your blood test results. For statutory medicals, the result forms part of your medical examination report. If anything needs follow-up, your doctor will explain what happens next.
Doctor-led care
Appointments
Book a screening consultation or statutory medical at Wheelock Place; the X-ray, blood tests and doctor's review all happen at the clinic.
