An X-ray anode includes a coating and a support body. In addition to a strength-imparting region, the support body has a region formed of a diamond-metal composite material. The diamond-metal composite material is formed of 40 to 90% by volume diamond particles, 10 to 60% by volume binding phase(s) formed of a metal or an alloy of the metals of the group consisting of Cu, Ag, Al and at least one carbide of the elements of the group consisting of Tr, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, B, and Si. The highly heat-conductive region can be form-lockingly connected at the back to a heat-dissipating region, for example formed of Cu or a Cu alloy. The X-ray anode has improved heat dissipation and lower composite stress.