Fraser Olender, a star on Bravo’s reality series “Below Deck,” has revealed that he experienced a heart attack and lung injury linked to vaping. In a candid post shared on Instagram on March 3, 2023, the 33-year-old television personality detailed his recent health crisis, urging others to abandon the habit immediately.
Olender’s ordeal began a few weeks prior when he was hospitalized due to severe chest pains and difficulty breathing. After spending a week with specialists in London hospitals, he received a diagnosis of E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury, commonly referred to as EVALI. He described the experience as one of the most terrifying moments of his life.
Medical Insights into Olender’s Condition
In his post, Olender elaborated on how the vaping-related injury led to a coronary artery vasospasm. This condition involves a sudden constriction of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, significantly reducing blood flow. As a result, he suffered an ST-elevation myocardial infarction, more widely known as a STEMI heart attack.
“The spasm reduced blood flow enough to cause an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), not due to a blockage, but because my heart wasn’t getting enough oxygen during the spasm,” he explained. The American Lung Association recognizes EVALI as a serious respiratory illness that can potentially be fatal.
The pain Olender experienced was so intense that he required the strongest legal pain medication available in the emergency room, despite initially receiving two rounds of morphine, which provided no relief.
Sharing His Experience for Awareness
Now in recovery, Olender feels a strong sense of responsibility to share his story. He emphasized that he never imagined such a serious health issue could stem from vaping. “If this experience can help even one person rethink vaping, it’s worth telling,” he stated.
He strongly urged others to consider the risks associated with vaping. “I could have died for the sake of something so ridiculously stupid, so please do yourselves a favor and give it up too – cold turkey,” he advised.
Fraser Olender’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the health risks posed by vaping, encouraging individuals to reflect on their choices and the potential consequences. As awareness around vaping-related health risks grows, his message highlights the importance of prioritizing health over habits that may seem harmless at first glance.
