Cultural Considerations in Hypertension and Health Practices
Assignment Instructions:
1. Describe health and illness practices that may augment problems associated with the
treatment of hypertension for Chinese-American clients.
2. Describe the locus-of-control variable that some Filipino Americans have that may
influence health-seeking behavior.
3. Describe the importance of folk medicine and folk healers to Vietnamese Americans.
, Introduction
Cultural practices and beliefs strongly influence how individuals perceive health, illness,
and medical treatment. In nursing and healthcare, understanding these cultural dynamics
is essential to providing safe, effective, and culturally competent care. Hypertension, a
major chronic illness affecting millions of Americans, requires consistent management
and adherence to treatment plans. However, cultural practices can augment or complicate
treatment, particularly among immigrant populations. This paper explores hypertension-
related practices among Chinese-American clients, the locus-of-control variable among
Filipino Americans, and the importance of folk medicine and folk healers for Vietnamese
Americans.
Health and Illness Practices of Chinese-American Clients
Chinese-American clients often integrate traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) into their
health practices. TCM is based on the balance of yin and yang and the flow of vital
energy, or qi. Common practices include the use of herbal remedies, acupuncture, and
dietary modifications intended to restore balance in the body (Spector, 2017). When
managing hypertension, patients may rely on herbal teas, ginseng, or other natural
supplements. While these remedies may provide comfort, they can interfere with
prescribed antihypertensive medications. For example, some herbs may alter blood
pressure, increase bleeding risk, or reduce the effectiveness of pharmaceutical drugs.
Another cultural factor is dietary practice. Traditional Chinese diets often incorporate
high-sodium condiments such as soy sauce, fermented foods, and pickled vegetables.
This dietary pattern may exacerbate hypertension and conflict with medical
recommendations to reduce sodium intake. Additionally, Chinese-American patients may
attribute hypertension to emotional stress or imbalances, leading them to focus on stress-
reduction strategies rather than biomedical interventions (Li & Froelicher, 2007). For
healthcare providers, awareness of these beliefs is vital to avoid dismissing cultural
practices while ensuring safe, effective treatment.
Assignment Instructions:
1. Describe health and illness practices that may augment problems associated with the
treatment of hypertension for Chinese-American clients.
2. Describe the locus-of-control variable that some Filipino Americans have that may
influence health-seeking behavior.
3. Describe the importance of folk medicine and folk healers to Vietnamese Americans.
, Introduction
Cultural practices and beliefs strongly influence how individuals perceive health, illness,
and medical treatment. In nursing and healthcare, understanding these cultural dynamics
is essential to providing safe, effective, and culturally competent care. Hypertension, a
major chronic illness affecting millions of Americans, requires consistent management
and adherence to treatment plans. However, cultural practices can augment or complicate
treatment, particularly among immigrant populations. This paper explores hypertension-
related practices among Chinese-American clients, the locus-of-control variable among
Filipino Americans, and the importance of folk medicine and folk healers for Vietnamese
Americans.
Health and Illness Practices of Chinese-American Clients
Chinese-American clients often integrate traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) into their
health practices. TCM is based on the balance of yin and yang and the flow of vital
energy, or qi. Common practices include the use of herbal remedies, acupuncture, and
dietary modifications intended to restore balance in the body (Spector, 2017). When
managing hypertension, patients may rely on herbal teas, ginseng, or other natural
supplements. While these remedies may provide comfort, they can interfere with
prescribed antihypertensive medications. For example, some herbs may alter blood
pressure, increase bleeding risk, or reduce the effectiveness of pharmaceutical drugs.
Another cultural factor is dietary practice. Traditional Chinese diets often incorporate
high-sodium condiments such as soy sauce, fermented foods, and pickled vegetables.
This dietary pattern may exacerbate hypertension and conflict with medical
recommendations to reduce sodium intake. Additionally, Chinese-American patients may
attribute hypertension to emotional stress or imbalances, leading them to focus on stress-
reduction strategies rather than biomedical interventions (Li & Froelicher, 2007). For
healthcare providers, awareness of these beliefs is vital to avoid dismissing cultural
practices while ensuring safe, effective treatment.
