URGENT UPDATE: Reality star Fraser Olender, known for his role on Bravo’s “Below Deck,” is sounding the alarm on the dangers of vaping after suffering a severe heart attack and lung injury. In a shocking Instagram post shared on Friday, Olender revealed he was hospitalized just weeks ago due to intense chest pains and breathing difficulties linked to vaping.
The 33-year-old television personality spent a week in London hospitals, where doctors diagnosed him with E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury, known as EVALI. He described the ordeal as one of the most terrifying experiences of his life, stating, “I have never experienced fear or pain like it.”
As a result of his vaping-related condition, Olender suffered a coronary artery vasospasm, causing arteries supplying blood to the heart to suddenly constrict. This led to an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), commonly referred to as a heart attack. “That spasm reduced blood flow enough to cause a STEMI,” he explained, emphasizing that it was not due to a blockage but rather a lack of oxygen during the spasm.
The American Lung Association warns that EVALI is a serious respiratory illness that can be fatal. Olender described the pain as excruciating, stating that even two rounds of morphine failed to provide relief and he had to be given the strongest legal pain medication available in the emergency room.
Now on the road to recovery, Olender is determined to share his story to prevent others from experiencing similar health crises. “If this experience can help even one person rethink vaping, it’s worth telling,” he declared. “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.”
With vaping increasingly popular among young adults, Olender’s alarming experience underscores the urgent need for awareness about its potential health risks. As public health officials continue to investigate the full extent of vaping-related illnesses, his story serves as a crucial reminder of the dangers that could lurk in seemingly harmless habits.
This developing situation highlights the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for any serious health concerns and raises critical questions about the long-term implications of vaping. Stay tuned for further updates on this important health issue.
