What is echocardiography used for in cardiovascular assessments?

Echocardiography is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses sound waves to produce detailed images of the heart's structures and assess its functionality. This method allows healthcare providers to visualize the chambers of the heart, the valves, and blood flow dynamics, including the motion of the heart walls and any abnormalities in structure or function. This visualization is critical in diagnosing various cardiovascular conditions, such as heart valves disease, heart failure, and congenital heart defects.

The other options do not pertain to what echocardiography specifically measures. Blood pressure is evaluated through sphygmomanometry or similar devices, lung function is assessed through spirometry and other pulmonary function tests, and blood cholesterol levels are typically tested via blood samples analyzed in a laboratory setting. Therefore, only the ability to visualize heart structures and blood flow aligns accurately with the primary application of echocardiography in cardiovascular assessments.