Anxiety and insecurity with HCM diagnosis??

First let me welcome you to Mayo Connect @hcmpc. You have found an incredible resource for many questions you may ask of others just like you. The Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy support group has many different sections and I would encourage you to take some time an poke around here. There are many that may feel the same as you do and offer encouragement.
I was diagnosed with HOCM in 2020. It was a new diagnosis, but not new feelings as I had been slowly getting worse over several years. I had been misdiagnosed for a long, long time and after learning what I truly had I was rather insecure too. I have been super active all my life and started not being able to hardly walk or do house chorse without a racing heart, pounding in my head, and gasping for air. It frightened me that I was told I could go into ventricular fibrillation and that can be fatal.
I wonder if your emotional reactions may be in relation to the metoprolol? Have you shared these feelings with your cardiologist?

I felt the same way. I think cardiologists could use some communication training!! Rather than scare the patient, how about suggesting what you CAN do safely? Wondering if you were offered Camzyos as an option for treatment. I had to ask for it. Hope you feel better as you get used to your diagnosis and medication.

Thank you for your conversation thread! I have been feeling the same. My partner has noticed my decline over the past year and half. Sometimes I forget and go charging ahead, walking briskly, but then he reminds me or my muscle fatigue or shortness of breath reminds me. I’m surprised by how much information your cardiologist shared. I have not gotten that much information- far more vague - I would benefit from surgery, they showed me videos etc… but no actual measurements and the vocabulary!!!! I didn’t know all the acronyms or even that I was having atrial fibrillations. I’m guessing the language can cause anxiety. But I also understand that the heart feels anxiety and the flutters and skipped beats cause anxiety. So it’s a bit of a vicious cycle. I’ve noticed I could never improve my cardiovascular health through training since my teens. And been complaining to doctors about it since my 30’s - diagnosed with asthma - which I really don’t have and then diagnosed with anxiety and told its panic attacks and it’s in my head after repeat visits to the ER with my heart racing and flopping around in my chest. I kept asking for a echocardiogram stress test and it took until I was 54 to finally be listened to and the correct tests ordered. So, I was getting worse enough to be diagnosed! Keep at it! Keep going to the doctor as they found I have mitral valve involvement with my OHCM - if you’re feeling worse get a second opinion.
Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Angela

Yes they are def common imo. I was diagnosed in may 2023 and i am 18 mm as well. I am looking at a defibulator eventually but not till symptoms become greater. I was uneasy and scared and anxious at first but now after about 4 months into it i am feelin much betr and my perspective has changed. Def feelin less anxious and scared. I have gotton much more claarity after my video appt with dr. Steve ommen and i look forward to my appt this coming week to gain even more knowledge and my next steps. Good luck to u xo p.s. i am 57 yo. Also i am taking metropolol and diltiazam. No reactions from medicine juss maybe a bit tired

Agreed! When i was told bout my hocum heart i was like whaaa...scared me. Fortunately my nurse explained a lot to me and then with time I realized it wasn't as scary as I initially thought

I completely empathize with your sentiment. It seems that some cardiologists could benefit from improved communication skills. Instead of instilling fear, they could focus on offering safe alternatives. I'm curious if Camzyos was presented to you as a treatment option. In my case, I had to specifically inquire about it. Wishing you a smoother journey as you acclimate to your diagnosis and medication.