Anxiety Caused by the Risk of Sudden Cardiac Arrest from HCM (Even Though I Am Not High Risk)
I feel extremely anxious because of the risk of sudden cardiac arrest associated with HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Even though my estimated annual risk of cardiac arrest is only around 0.5–1%, and I have non-obstructive HCM with a maximum wall thickness of 21 mm, while several other major risk markers are also considered low-risk, I still struggle with this fear every day. (I have only just started my adult life, and I am also the only child in my family. If something unfortunate were to happen to me, I fear that my mother would find it extremely difficult to continue living.)
I am only 24 years old and have just entered the workforce and started my adult life. At the same time, my family has experienced multiple major setbacks involving financial issues, health problems, and unexpected risks. It has been three months since I was diagnosed with HCM, but I still feel anxious every day because of the possibility of sudden cardiac death caused by this disease. After all, I have only just entered society, and I have not even had the chance to truly experience and enjoy life as a young adult, which makes me feel deeply lost and disappointed.
At present, my medical indicators do not meet the criteria for my doctors to recommend ICD (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator) implantation. However, even if I eventually need one, under the current healthcare insurance conditions in my country, the cost of an S-ICD (subcutaneous ICD) or EV-ICD (extravascular ICD) could potentially consume almost all of my family’s savings.
Right now, I honestly do not know what to do. I am struggling with severe anxiety psychologically, while also facing significant pressure in my daily life. And all of this has happened simply because I was “unlucky enough to inherit a bad gene,” not because I actually did anything wrong.
I am sorry for sharing such a difficult situation. I truly feel terrible right now, and I do not know what I should do. Should I endure the financial burden and insist on getting an ICD implanted despite my current condition not meeting the recommended criteria? Or should I adjust my mindset, accept this level of risk, and wait until my indicators reach the point where ICD implantation is medically recommended?
Thank you all for taking the time to answer my questions. I hope that I can have the same courage and rationality that you all have.