URGENT UPDATE: Reality star Fraser Olender, known from Bravo’s “Below Deck,” has revealed a terrifying health scare linked to vaping. The 33-year-old television personality suffered a heart attack and severe lung injury, and he is now urgently urging others to quit vaping immediately.
In a shocking Instagram post shared on Friday, Olender disclosed that he was hospitalized in London just weeks ago due to intense chest pains and breathing difficulties. After spending a week with medical specialists, he was diagnosed with E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury, commonly known as EVALI.
“I have never experienced fear or pain like it,” Olender stated, emphasizing the severity of his condition. The diagnosis led to a coronary artery vasospasm, where the arteries supplying blood to the heart constrict suddenly. This spasm triggered what is classified as an ST-elevation myocardial infarction, or STEMI heart attack, which Olender described as not resulting from blockage but from a lack of oxygen to the heart.
The American Lung Association classifies EVALI as a potentially fatal respiratory illness. Olender’s pain was so intense that even two rounds of morphine failed to provide relief. He had to resort to the strongest legal pain medication available in the emergency room.
Now recovering, Olender feels compelled to share his ordeal, stating, “If this experience can help even one person rethink vaping, it’s worth telling.” He expressed regret over his vaping habits, saying, “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.”
This alarming revelation comes as health authorities continue to warn about the dangers of vaping. The impact of EVALI has raised serious concerns within the medical community, prompting calls for increased public awareness and education about the risks associated with e-cigarette use.
As Olender recovers, he hopes his experience serves as a wake-up call for others. The urgency of his message resonates strongly in the context of a growing number of vaping-related health issues.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as we follow Olender’s recovery and the ongoing conversation about vaping safety.
