Fraser Olender Shares Major Health Update After Vaping-Linked Heart Scare

Mian Hamid December 11, 2025

Fraser Olender reveals his vaping-related heart attack and recovery journey, urging fans to quit vaping. Latest updates, treatment details, and public health guidance.

Fraser Olender Shares Major Health Update After Vaping-Linked Heart Scare

Fraser Olender, the 33-year-old Below Deck star, is on the mend after a terrifying health scare doctors say was triggered by vaping. He was rushed to a London hospital with severe chest pain and difficulty breathing, where medical teams diagnosed him with e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI). The condition led to a coronary artery vasospasm that caused a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) — a dangerous and potentially fatal form of heart attack.

On Instagram, Olender posted photos from his hospital bed and opened up about just how serious the situation was. He called the incident “life-threatening” and admitted it was “something I could have died for the sake of something so ridiculously stupid.” In the same post, he revealed he has quit vaping and urged followers to rethink the habit, describing the ordeal as a much-needed wake-up call.

EVALI became widely known in 2019, when clusters of cases began appearing across the U.S. Linked to certain vaping products and contaminants, the illness can cause anything from mild lung inflammation to acute respiratory failure. Public health experts warn that EVALI doesn’t just affect the lungs; in some cases, it can spark widespread inflammation throughout the body — including the blood vessels — and may contribute to rare cardiac complications. According to the CDC, anyone diagnosed with EVALI should stop vaping entirely and receive close medical follow-up.

Cardiology research backs up these warnings. Major heart-health organizations have documented connections between e-cigarette use and an elevated risk of heart attacks and other coronary issues. Coronary artery vasospasm — the sudden narrowing of a coronary artery that reduces blood flow — is a known medical emergency and can trigger a heart attack even when arteries aren’t blocked by plaque.

Treatment for EVALI typically centers around respiratory support and, in more severe cases, steroid therapy to reduce inflammation. When a heart attack is involved, doctors rely on the same emergency protocols used for traditional MIs, ranging from medications to procedures like angioplasty if needed.

Recovery isn’t always straightforward. Many patients face lingering symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, side effects from medication, and emotional stress after such a frightening event.

Fraser Olender’s openness about his experience — and his decision to speak out about vaping — transforms a personal crisis into a powerful public-health message. For U.S. readers, his story is a reminder to take vaping risks seriously. If you vape, consider this a moment to reassess; if someone you care about vapes, encourage them to stay informed and seek medical attention at the first sign of trouble.

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