There is little evidence that detection of coronary artery stenosis in asymptomatic patients at low risk for coronary heart disease improves health outcomes. False positive tests are likely to lead to harm through unnecessary invasive procedures, over-treatment and misdiagnosis. Chest X-rays for asymptomatic patients with no specific indications for the imaging have a trivial diagnostic yield, but a significant number of false positive reports. Potential harms of such routine screening exceed the potential benefit.
Sources:
Canadian Association of Radiologists. 2012 CAR diagnostic imaging referral guidelines. Section E: cardiovascular [Internet]. 2012 [cited 2017 May 9].
Canadian Association of Radiologists. Medical imaging primer with a focus on x-ray usage and safety [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2017 May 9].
Tigges S, et al. Routine chest radiography in a primary care setting. Radiology. 2004 Nov;233(2):575-8. PMID: 15516621.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Screening for coronary heart disease with electrocardiography [Internet]. 2012 Jul [cited 2017 May 9].
Related Resources:
Patient Pamphlet: ECG (Electrocardiogram): When you need it and when you don’t
Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care: Lung Cancer – 1000 Person Tool