Fraser Olender, known for his role on the hit reality series, recently faced a terrifying ordeal – a heart attack triggered by what he calls “vape poisoning.” The 33-year-old shared his harrowing experience, revealing a health crisis that brought him to the hospital in November.
Severe chest pains and crippling difficulty breathing were the initial warnings. Olender described the fear and pain as unlike anything he’d ever known, ultimately diagnosed as an E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury, or EVALI. This serious condition causes inflammation in the lungs and often requires immediate hospitalization.
The root cause, he discovered, was a sudden constriction of the arteries supplying blood to his heart – a coronary artery vasospasm. This wasn’t a blockage, but a critical lack of oxygen reaching the heart muscle, resulting in an ST-elevation myocardial infarction, more commonly known as a heart attack.
Olender vividly recounted the agonizing pain, stating that even powerful morphine offered minimal relief. The strongest pain medication available in the emergency room only managed to reduce his suffering from an unbearable 10 to a still-significant 7. He realized he had risked his life for a habit he now condemns.
He is now recovering and is resolute in his decision to quit vaping entirely. He hopes his story will serve as a stark warning to others, urging them to reconsider the risks associated with vaping and to quit “cold turkey.” The unknown dangers, he emphasizes, are simply not worth the potential consequences.
Beyond the immediate health scare, Olender has already noticed unexpected benefits from being vape-free. He reports a dramatic improvement in his skin, noting a newfound clarity and brightness – a surprising and welcome side effect of prioritizing his health.
The outpouring of support from friends and colleagues has been significant. Messages of relief and encouragement flooded in, including heartfelt wishes from fellow cast members and his partner, comedian Matt Rogers, who remained by his side throughout the ordeal.
Olender, who joined the show in 2021 and became the first male Chief Steward, is sharing his story not for attention, but to potentially save others from a similar fate. He wants people to understand that the risks are real, and the consequences can be devastating.
