Questions about Concentric

[Eileen2345]

Hi everyone!

I have a question, what exactly does concentric mean?

I did a Google search and looked through 10 pages and I could not really understand much of what they were saying. I think it means that the ventricle walls have uniform thickness. (?) Is that all? I wonder if it is a sign of the progression of the disease.

I know I have epiosdes of A-fib too. But I don't know if that is very serious or not.

I don't want to dwell too much on this. But I would like to know what is going on so that I don't drive myself crazy.

I am also thinking about getting a second echo done and a second opinion, just to make sure.

Thank you for any information and for taking the time to reply.

Eileeen

[Reenie]

Re: Questions about Concentric

Here is the definition of concentric from www.dictionary.com:

con·cen·tric (kn-sntrk)
adj.

Having a common center or center point, as of circles.

The short answer is that your heart is thick evenly from a center point. Hope this helps.

Reenie

[Eileen2345]

Re: Questions about Concentric

Thank you Reenie.

You know, I read quite a bit about it, and I think I understand some of it.

Sometimes it is hard to hear the bad news, but then the wondering about it is difficult too.

Thank you again

Hugs -- Eileen

[Pam Alexson]

Re: Questions about Concentric

Hi Eileen,

If you have not already seen this info , there is also some good visual and description showing the 3 types: concentric, asymetric and apical hypertrophy.

http://www.cardiomyopathy.org/docs/h...iomyopathy.pdf

Good luck,

Pam

[Eileen2345]

Re: Questions about Concentric

Thank you Pam. That was very informative. I read it and learned a lot from it.

Here is what concerned me a bit......I read this online about Concentric and Eccentric Hypertrophy:

eccentric hypertrophy: thickening of the wall of the heart or other cavity, with dilation.
concentric hypertrophy: thickening of the walls of the heart or any cavity with apparent diminution of the capacity of the cavity.

I was just wondering if anyone else knew anything about it as well. Also I was wondering if A-fib is something that is common in HCM or HOCM. Or if A-fib is maybe something to be aware of.

Thanks again Pam and to anyone else who is reading

Hugs -- Eileen

P.S. Pam I hope you are feeling better

[Reenie]

Re: Questions about Concentric

The reduction of the cavity size isn't too uncommon because the thickened muscle takes up more space than a regular-sized muscle would. Afib isn't uncommon in HCM either. There can be all kinds of electrical issues on an HCM heart because the jumbled up cell structure can make the electical conduction pathways a bit jumbled too. My version of how it works isn't very technical, but I hope you know what I mean.

Reenie

[Eileen2345]

Re: Questions about Concentric

Thanks Reenie

Yes, I understand. Thank you.

I read on a medical wbsite that A-fib is an indicator that the HCM is progressing. That is incorrect. There is alot of misinformation out there. Thank you for setting that straight, I feel better.

Hugs -- Eileen