Bravo Star's Vape-Induced Heart Attack Prompts Quit Effort

Matt Rogers details his boyfriend Fraser Olender's health scare and Lena Dunham's decision to quit vaping.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:05am

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A translucent X-ray photograph showing the ghostly outline of a human heart surrounded by a wispy cloud of vapor, symbolizing the vape-induced damage to the organ.A haunting X-ray image reveals the internal damage caused by vaping, a cautionary tale about the hidden health risks of e-cigarettes.Las Vegas Today

Matt Rogers, a comedian and podcast host, detailed the scary moment when his boyfriend Fraser Olender, a chief steward on Bravo's Below Deck, suffered a vape-induced heart attack in front of him just hours after the couple made their public debut at BravoCon in Las Vegas. The health scare inspired Rogers' friend Lena Dunham to also quit her vaping habit cold turkey.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the growing concerns over the health risks associated with vaping, especially among young adults and celebrities who have large platforms to share their stories. It also shows how personal experiences can motivate people to make positive changes in their own lives.

The details

According to Rogers, Olender began experiencing "very intense chest pains" and shortness of breath after their BravoCon appearance, which doctors later diagnosed as "vape poisoning" or an E-cigarette or Vaping-Associated Lung Injury. Olender spent a week in the hospital recovering. When Rogers told Dunham about the incident, she immediately quit vaping by dropping her vape in a cup of water. Dunham admitted it was not easy, as she spent the following week "sweating it out" alone over the Thanksgiving holiday.

  • In November, Olender suffered a vape-induced heart attack in front of Rogers.
  • Olender announced his health crisis and recovery on Instagram after spending a week in the hospital.

The players

Matt Rogers

A comedian and podcast host who is the boyfriend of Fraser Olender.

Fraser Olender

A chief steward on Bravo's reality show Below Deck who suffered a vape-induced heart attack.

Lena Dunham

An author and actress who quit vaping after hearing about Olender's health scare.

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What they’re saying

“I literally took the vape and I dropped it in a cup of water so that I couldn't retrieve it, and I went, 'Today's the day it stops.' And I've never taken a puff since.”

— Lena Dunham, Author and Actress

“I have never experienced fear or pain like it.”

— Fraser Olender

What’s next

Olender is currently filming a new season of Below Deck, and Rogers plans to visit him soon.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a stark warning about the dangers of vaping and how it can have serious health consequences, even for young and seemingly healthy individuals. It also demonstrates how personal experiences can inspire people to make positive changes in their own lives.