Below Deck Star Fraser Olender Warns Fans After Suspected Vape-Linked Health Scare

Fraser Olender, the chief steward made famous by Bravo’s “Below Deck,” has spoken publicly about a recent health scare that doctors initially evaluated as a possible heart attack, which he believes was caused by vape poisoning. Olender, who is openly gay, shared the experience to warn fans about the potential dangers of frequent vaping and to encourage people—especially within LGBTQ+ communities—to seek medical care quickly when something feels wrong.

Olender discussed the incident while reflecting on his lifestyle and work demands, describing sudden, severe symptoms that led him to seek urgent medical attention. According to his account, clinicians initially assessed him for a heart-related event before raising concerns that his symptoms were consistent with adverse effects linked to heavy vaping. Specific clinical findings from his case have not been independently published in medical records or case reports.

His warning arrives amid continuing medical concern about the cardiovascular and respiratory risks associated with e‑cigarettes and vaping products. The American Heart Association has reported that nicotine-containing vaping products can raise heart rate, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness, all of which may contribute to cardiovascular strain. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also documented thousands of cases of e‑cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury since 2019, though most were linked to products containing THC and vitamin E acetate.

Public health researchers have noted that vaping and tobacco product use can be more prevalent in some LGBTQ+ populations compared with heterosexual and cisgender peers. The CDC has stated that lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults in the United States are more likely to report current use of tobacco products, including e‑cigarettes, than heterosexual adults, which it links to targeted advertising, minority stress, and barriers to affirming health care.

LGBTQ+ advocates have historically criticized the ways tobacco and nicotine companies have marketed products in queer bars, clubs, and Pride events, sometimes framing vaping as a safer or more stylish alternative to smoking. Organizations like Truth Initiative and the Human Rights Campaign have called for tailored cessation support and culturally competent messaging that speaks directly to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.

Olender’s experience, shared from the vantage point of a reality TV figure who is part of gay public life, intersects with these broader patterns. His decision to link his own medical emergency to vaping—while still based primarily on his personal account—adds another recognizable voice to conversations about substance use, nightlife, and stress in LGBTQ+ spaces.

Medical and LGBTQ+ health organizations stress that early evaluation is critical when people experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or sudden dizziness, regardless of age or sexual orientation. The American College of Cardiology has emphasized that younger adults sometimes delay care because they underestimate cardiac risk, even though lifestyle factors—including nicotine use—can pose real concerns.

For queer and transgender people, accessing emergency care can be complicated by fear of discrimination or previous negative experiences in medical settings. The LGBTQ+ legal advocacy group Lambda Legal has documented reports of mistreatment or bias in health care environments, which can deter people from seeking help when they need it most. In this context, visible LGBTQ+ public figures publicly describing their own hospital visits and urging followers to seek assessment can help counter avoidance and stigma.

While Olender’s story has resonated with fans, public health experts caution that individual anecdotes cannot, on their own, establish a direct causal link between a specific vaping episode and a heart attack-like event without detailed clinical evidence. Researchers are continuing to study how different e‑cigarette devices, flavorings, and chemical components affect heart and lung health over time. The National Institutes of Health has funded ongoing studies to better understand both short- and long-term cardiovascular outcomes associated with vaping among diverse populations, including LGBTQ+ people.

For now, major health organizations recommend that people who do not use tobacco products should not start using e‑cigarettes and that those who currently vape and want to quit should seek evidence-based cessation support. LGBTQ+-focused resources, including community health centers and queer-led support programs, can offer affirming spaces for people who want to reduce or stop vaping while addressing the stressors that often underlie substance use.

Olender’s account, and the attention it has received in LGBTQ+ media, underscores how personal stories can open up complex conversations about risk, pleasure, stress, and care within queer and transgender communities. Even as scientists work to clarify the exact cardiovascular dangers of vaping, advocates emphasize that LGBTQ+ people deserve clear information, nonjudgmental support, and safe medical care when they make choices about nicotine, nightlife, and their health.