Hello @starbear, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
Being diagnosed with HOCM just a few months ago must still have your head spinning...and now you have been told you need to be evaluated for a pacemaker/defibrillator.
That's a lot to process and I don't blame you if you have questions!
I would too.
Here is an article from the Mayo Clinic regarding HOCM/HCM:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350198
And here is another from the popular HCM group Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association:
https://www.4hcm.org
I have a question for you; are you confident that your cardiologist is up-to-date on all things HOCM? It's important for you to be as educated about your new and unfriendly condition, so that you can participate with knowledge in any decisions on treatment or procedures.
I had several "second" opinions because I was just stunned at what I had just been told. I didn't want to believe it.
I am glad I did, because in the end, I was so confident that I made the scary, but correct decision to go forward with a septal myectomy at the Mayo Clinic.

Irregular heart rhythms are a very common in HCM/HOCM.
PVCs, SVT, Tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and the BIG one, SCD...short for Sudden Cardiac Death, mostly due to Ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation which is often fatal. That's what a defibrillator is for.

Not to frighten you, but it is scary and does happen and is the reason some people with HOCM have this device. To prevent such an incident.

This is a lot to process, and hopefully you and your cardiologist will reach the right decision soon. Meantime, there are many members here on Connect with HOCM and defib/pacemakers.
For instance, member @walkinggirl lives with her device and they get along quite well together.

This is a lot to process, and hopefully you and your cardiologist will reach the right decision soon. Meantime, there are many members here on Connect with HOCM and defib/pacemakers. For instance, @wal
Since you just recently found out about your condition, have you noticed any changes you used to just ignore?
Is your health otherwise good and you can exercise and are active?