Fraser Olender from Below Deck Survives Heart Attack Linked to 'Vape Poisoning': 'I Could Have Died'

Fraser Olender is currently recuperating after experiencing a serious health incident connected to vaping. On Friday, the "Below Deck" personality revealed on Instagram that he endured a coronary artery vasospasm triggered by frequent vape use.

"Medically, this occurs when the arteries delivering blood to the heart suddenly constrict," Olender explained. "The spasm restricted blood flow enough to result in an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), commonly known as a heart attack not due to a blockage, but because my heart wasnt receiving sufficient oxygen during the episode."

The incident first came to light in Olender's Instagram stories after BravoCon, when he was urgently hospitalized due to chest pain and breathing difficulties. After consulting with multiple medical specialists over a week, doctors determined the cause of his heart crisis.

"In short, I suffered vape poisoning, or E-cigarette/Vaping-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI), and Ive never felt fear or pain like that before," he shared.

Olender emphasized that he has completely stopped vaping since the episode, which occurred three weeks ago, and encouraged others to do the same. "I could have lost my life over something so utterly avoidable, so please take my advice and quit cold turkey," he urged. "These products are dangerous, and my experience was far from harmless."

Olender initially joined Bravos "Below Deck" in Season 9 as a second stew, later advancing to chief stew. He most recently appeared in Season 12, which concluded in September.

Author: Harper Simmons