Caring for Chinese, Filipino, & Vietnamese Populations

Sample Answer

Health and Illness Practices of Chinese-American Clients that May Augment Hypertension Treatment Problems

Chinese-American clients often integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles and practices with conventional Western medicine. While TCM can offer complementary benefits, certain practices and beliefs may complicate the management and treatment of hypertension:

• Use of Herbal Remedies: TCM relies heavily on herbs (e.g., Danshen, Ginkgo Biloba, Ganoderma lucidum/Reishi mushroom) believed to balance the body's Qi (vital energy) and address underlying disharmonies. Some of these herbs can interact negatively with antihypertensive medications, potentially reducing their efficacy or causing adverse effects. For example, some herbs might affect blood pressure directly or interact with medications metabolized by the liver. Patients may not always disclose their herb use to their Western healthcare providers, leading to unknown interactions.
• Dietary Practices Based on TCM Theory: TCM categorizes foods as yin (cooling), yang (warming), or neutral, and recommends diets to restore balance. While some TCM dietary advice might align with general healthy eating (e.g., emphasizing vegetables), other recommendations might conflict with standard hypertension dietary guidelines (e.g., the DASH diet). For instance, a patient might avoid certain "cooling" foods recommended for blood pressure, or conversely, overconsume foods believed to have specific properties without considering sodium or potassium content.Health and Illness Practices of Chinese-American Clients that May Augment Hypertension Treatment Problems