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Below Deck star Fraser Olender has revealed that he experienced a frightening trip to the hospital last month, stating that vaping led to a heart attack.
The 33-year-old reality star expressed that he could have lost his life during this terrifying incident, from which he is still recovering.
Below Deck star Fraser Olender has admitted that vaping led to a heart attack in a shocking revelation.Credit: Instagram/fraserolender
The reality star was taken to a hospital in London last month.Credit: Instagram/fraserolender
Fraser is recognized as the Chief Steward on the reality show Below Deck.Credit: Getty
Fraser, who joined Below Deck in 2021 as the Chief Steward , took to Instagram this week to share his experience with his 250K followers, cautioning against vaping.
Fraser explained that the health scare occurred due to vaping, sharing images from his time in the hospital and detailing how he was rushed there after experiencing severe chest pains.
He wrote: “A few weeks ago, I was rushed to the hospital due to severe chest pains and difficulty breathing.
“Afterward, I spent a week in London hospitals consulting specialists to determine the cause and any potential damage from the incident.
“To put it simply – I experienced vape poisoning (an E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI)), and I have never felt such fear or pain before.”
Fraser elaborated: “Whatever was in my vape caused me to have a coronary artery vasospasm. Medically, this means that the arteries supplying blood to my heart suddenly constricted.
“This spasm decreased blood flow enough to trigger an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), commonly known as a heart attack – not due to a blockage, but because my heart wasn't receiving enough oxygen during the spasm.”
What is a coronary artery spasm?
A coronary artery spasm is characterized by chest tightness or pain caused by the constriction of a heart artery.
Additional symptoms may include pain in the arm or jaw.
For some, this condition resolves on its own, while others may suffer for years. In severe cases, it can lead to a heart attack.
If the spasm results in intense or sudden chest pain, it is considered a medical emergency and should be evaluated immediately.
Coronary artery spasms are also referred to as Variant angina or Prinzmetal angina.
What causes this?
- Stress (can cause the narrowing of coronary arteries due to an imbalance of constricting and relaxing chemicals)
- Cold temperatures
- Smoking or tobacco use
- Exercise
- Occasionally associated with the menstrual cycle
What are the symptoms?
- Spasms can be silent or cause chest pain
- If the spasm persists long enough, it can lead to a heart attack
What are the risks of vaping?
While vaping does not carry the same risks as tobacco, experts caution that it may not be as harmless as believed.
- It may harm heart health. Some chemicals found in vapes can negatively affect cardiovascular health, with the American Heart Association (AHA) stating that vaping is "as harmful to the body’s cardiovascular systems as cigarettes."
- It may hinder brain development. Vaping nicotine can have lasting effects on brain development in individuals under 25, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- It may lead to tooth decay. Dr. Michael Heffernan, a dentist
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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