Full Answer Section

• Herbal Remedies: Some Chinese herbs can interact with blood pressure medications, leading to potential side effects or reduced effectiveness. It’s crucial to disclose herbal use to healthcare providers.
• Acupuncture: While acupuncture can offer some benefits for managing stress and pain, its role in directly lowering blood pressure requires further research. Transparency about using acupuncture alongside medication is important.
• “面子” (Miànzi) – “Face” Culture: The concept of “face” can lead to a reluctance to openly discuss health concerns or admit difficulty with medication adherence. Building trust and rapport with healthcare providers is essential.

1. Filipino-American Locus of Control and Health:

Filipino Americans may exhibit an external locus of control regarding health. This means they believe external factors like fate, God’s will, or powerful others (e.g., doctors) have significant control over their health. This can influence health-seeking behaviors:

• Delaying seeking medical care: Individuals might wait until symptoms become severe before seeking professional help.
• Passive participation in treatment: Patients may defer decision-making to doctors or rely heavily on medications rather than actively participating in lifestyle modifications.

1. Folk Medicine and Folk Healers in Vietnamese Americans:

Folk medicine and folk healers (Đông y – Eastern medicine) hold significant importance in Vietnamese communities:

• Herbal Remedies: Many Vietnamese Americans rely on traditional herbal remedies for various ailments, including hypertension. These remedies may not be rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness.
• Acupuncture and Massage: Acupuncture and massage therapy are popular practices for managing pain and promoting overall well-being, which can indirectly benefit hypertension control.
• “Thầy Thuốc” (Thầy thuốc) – Folk Healers: “Thầy Thuốc” are traditional healers who diagnose and treat illnesses using herbal remedies and folk practices. Understanding their role and collaborating with them can enhance patient trust and medication adherence.

Remember:

These are general trends, and individual experiences may vary. It’s crucial for healthcare providers to be culturally sensitive and assess each patient’s unique beliefs and practices to develop effective treatment plans.