What is one characteristic of concentric hypertrophy of the ventricle?

Concentric hypertrophy of the ventricle is primarily characterized by an increase in the number of parallel sarcomeres, which occurs as a response to pressure overload. In this condition, the heart muscle thickens in response to increased workload, particularly from high blood pressure or other factors that impose stress on the heart. The increase in parallel sarcomeres allows the muscle fibers to generate more force without requiring additional chamber dilation.

This adaptation leads to a thicker ventricular wall, allowing the heart to maintain effective pumping despite elevated pressures. It is crucial for the heart to accommodate these stresses to prevent heart failure or other complications. The structural changes that occur during concentric hypertrophy promote efficient contraction without expanding the overall volume of the ventricle, contrasting with other forms of hypertrophy that might involve chamber dilation or overload conditions.