'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Star Nicholas Brendon Hospitalized After 'Cardiac Incident'

Actor Nicholas Brendon has been hospitalized following a "cardiac accident."

Best known for playing Xander Harris on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," the 51-year-old actor has been candid about his health struggles in the past.

Earlier this week, his sister shared some troubling photos on his Instagram account, revealing that he had been hospitalized following a cardiac incident.

In a candid Instagram post, his sister told his fans and followers that her brother, who she refers to as Nicky, is on the mend after being hospitalized for a "cardiac incident."

"Nicky sends his love and wanted me to apologize that he hasn’t been going live as much lately and to give everyone an update," she wrote. "Nicky is doing fine now but he had to be rushed to emergency about two weeks ago because of a cardiac incident (tachycardia/arrhythmia)."

This isn't the first time that Nicky has been hospitalized due to his health struggles.

"Some of you might remember he had a similar incident after his second spinal surgery last year (for Cauda Equina) but this time, he is trying to get a little more rest and has been concentrating on medical appointments," she added.

Many fans showered the post with red heart emojis and encouraged him to “feel better.” Another fan said they were “sending healing prayers.” A third fan wrote, “Thinking of you, Nicholas!” Another follower commented, “Sending love and well wishes over. Have a speedy recovery.”

Over one year ago, the "Criminal Minds" actor talked in graphic detail about his health struggles in a 25-minute Facebook video, where he asked his followers for their thoughts and prayers due to an upcoming surgery.

“My a—s is kinda paralyzed and so is my p—-s, which is weird,” he explained at the time. “I gotta sit down to p—s because I don’t know if I’m sh—ting or p—sing.”

The news of his unusual health condition came shortly after it was announced that he was serving three years probation as part of a plea deal after allegedly attacking his girlfriend at a Palm Springs hotel in 2017. Although prosecutors had initially pushed for a four-year prison sentence, Nicky was able to take a plea deal for a 52-week domestic violence course and 20 hours of community service in addition to his probation.

In a statement, the victim, referred to only as “Jane Doe” said, “When somebody holds a knife to your throat, it changes you as a person, and it changes you forever. I can never erase the pictures in my mind of being strangled and thrown across the room, or being covered in bruises, bite marks and scratches, all because I tried to care for someone.”

One year after "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" ended in 2003, Nicky ran into legal trouble and has faced multiple arrests for vandalism, grand theft, resisting arrest, and battery against a peace officer in several separate incidents. Some took place in Los Angeles, California, Boise, Idaho, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In addition to the previous domestic violence allegation, Brendon also plead guilty after he was arrested in 2015 for allegedly grabbing his girlfriend by the throat, stealing her car keys, and smashing her cell phone.

That same year, PEOPLE reported that Nicky had entered rehab for substance abuse, alcoholism, and depression. He then entered another treatment center for depression only a few months later.

At the time, he posted a brief statement to Facebook where he informed his followers that he was going to “beat” his depression and get support for his mental health.

“Well my beautiful people I'm off to florida for 90 days of trearment. I love you all so much and I truly do appreciate all of your love and support. We're going to beat this,” he wrote on Facebook. He added the hashtags #kickingdepressionintheballsack #loveyou #huglife to the end of his post.

He revealed that he had been in a “dark place” over the past several years and confessed that he “had failed attempts at suicide.”

Many of his followers continue to pray for his health and happiness.