Fraser Olender from "Below Deck" Suffers Heart Attack Due to Vaping: Describes Unprecedented Fear and Pain

Fraser Olender, a star of the reality show "Below Deck," revealed that he was recently hospitalized after suffering a heart attack and lung damage caused by vaping. The 33-year-old shared his terrifying experience on Instagram, describing the pain as "inexplicable" and admitting, I could have died.

On December 5, Olender posted a series of selfies from his hospital room, explaining that he had been recovering from a serious health issue for the past few weeks. "I was rushed to the hospital due to severe chest pains and difficulty breathing," he wrote. After undergoing several tests and consultations with specialists, it was determined that the cause of his health crisis was vape poisoning, also known as E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI).

EVALI was first identified as a medical condition in 2019, with the American Heart Association reporting that more than half of affected individuals require intensive care. The condition can lead to a variety of serious issues, such as bronchiolitis obliterans (commonly referred to as "popcorn lung") and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

In Olender's case, the vaping caused a coronary artery vasospasm, which he explained as a sudden constriction of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This spasm reduced blood flow to his heart, ultimately leading to an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), commonly known as a heart attack. "It wasn't due to a blockage, but because my heart wasnt getting enough oxygen during the spasm," he elaborated.

Despite the trauma, Olender expressed gratitude for still being on the road to recovery. He shared his story in the hopes of helping others avoid a similar fate. "If my experience can prevent even one person from vaping, it will be worth it," he wrote.

Though some of his posts were lightheartedsuch as photos featuring red-light therapy and a visit from his boyfriend, Matt RogersOlender made it clear that the severity of his condition was no joke. He detailed the excruciating pain he endured, noting that two doses of morphine provided little relief, and that he eventually had to be given the strongest painkillers allowed in the ER. "The pain was so intense that even morphine didnt help, and it took the strongest medication to bring the pain from a 10 to a 7," he recalled.

Since the incident, Olender has vowed never to touch a vape again. He urged his followers to quit as well, writing, I could have died for something so pointless. Please, do yourselves a favor and quit toocold turkey. We dont know enough about these dangerous products, but I can tell you this: it was NOT worth it.

He ended his message with a heartfelt note to his supporters, thanking them for their well wishes. "Love you all, stay safe, prioritize your health," he wrote. "It's been almost three weeks since I quit vaping, and my skin has never been betterthere's definitely a connection. The best skincare hack Ive found!"