'Below Deck' Star Claims Vaping Led to His Unexpected Heart Attack

Fraser Olender, known from Below Deck, has opened up about a terrifying medical emergency he attributes to vaping. The 33-year-old chief steward shared the experience on Instagram on Friday, December 5, posting a series of photos from his recovery alongside a detailed description of the incident.

A few weeks ago, I was rushed to the hospital with severe chest pain and difficulty breathing, Olender explained. I spent a week in London hospitals consulting specialists to determine the cause and assess any potential damage.

The doctors eventually identified the culprit. In short, I suffered vape-related poisoning, also known as E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI). I have never felt such fear or pain before, he wrote.

EVALI is a serious health condition linked to vaping, often requiring intensive care. According to the American Heart Association, more than half of cases necessitate ICU admission, and symptoms can escalate to critical respiratory issues.

In Olenders situation, the vaping injury led to a coronary artery vasospasm, where the arteries supplying blood to my heart suddenly constricted, triggering an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). He clarified that the heart attack was not caused by a blockage, but by a lack of oxygen during the spasm.

Describing the intensity of the pain, Olender said, The discomfort lasted for 24 hours, two doses of morphine didnt help, and eventually I had to receive the strongest pain medication allowed in the ERwhich only reduced the pain from a 10 to a 7.

He confirmed that he has quit vaping permanently and encouraged others to do the same. I could have died over something so senseless. Please, quit vaping completely. We dont fully understand the dangers, but that experience was far from harmless, he warned.

Fans responded with messages of support. One commented, So glad youre okay! Proud of you for giving up that poison! Another wrote, Throwing out my vape now! So happy youre alive and well. A third added, Thank you for sharing! If it saves even one person, it was worth it.

Olender concluded by expressing gratitude to his followers: Love you all, stay safe, prioritize your health, and thank you for all your well wishes .

Author: Ethan Caldwell