The actor was diagnosed with the conditions years before he died this week at 54.

What Buffy star Nicholas Brendon said about his congenital heart defect, cauda equina syndrome before his death

The actor was diagnosed with the conditions years before he died this week at 54.

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

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March 21, 2026 1:13 p.m. ET

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Nicholas Brendon in 2015. Credit:

Albert L. Ortega/Getty

Nicholas Brendon faced multiple health issues before his death.

The *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* star, who died this week at 54, had been diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome as well as a congenital heart defect.

Brendon discussed his health challenges in a 2023 Instagram post.

"Sorry for the extra-long disappearing act," he wrote. "After two spinal surgeries and a heart attack, I've had multiple doctor appointments to juggle, and dealing with health insurance and pre-approvals feels nearly as emotionally exhausting and painful as dealing with my actual injuries."

The *Criminal Minds* actor added, "You'd think when the doctor says someone needs an urgent MRI and possibly an additional emergency surgery that the insurance company would get back to the doctor with any kind of answer at all. Right???"

Nicholas Brendon on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'.

20th Century Fox Film Corp./Courtesy Everett Collection

Brendon needed time to rest after his surgery, "or at least as much as I'm capable of resting," he said at the time. "So I somehow ended up 'trapped' in Idyllwild-Pine Cove (California) by about 3 feet of snow and nothing but time to swing on the back porch or paint in front of the fireplace."

Cauda equina syndrome is a condition that occurs when a person experiences nerve dysfunction at the end of their spinal cord, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. It can be caused by injuries, spinal lesions, tumors, birth abnormalities, and spinal anesthesia.

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The actor underwent spinal surgery in 2021 after a fall and had another spinal surgery later that year.

He was also taken to a hospital in 2022 due to a cardiac incident, his sister announced at the time. "Nicky is doing fine now, but he had to be rushed to emergency about two weeks ago because of a cardiac incident (tachycardia/arrhythmia)," she wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post (via the *Los Angeles Times*).

Tachycardia is the medical term for a heart rate exceeding 100 beats per minute, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can be caused by a number of different arrhythmias, or irregular heart rhythms.

Nicholas Brendon in 2015.

Araya Diaz/Getty

Brendon's manager, Theresa Fortier, told the *Los Angeles Times* that he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect following an additional cardiac incident.

"After a second cardiac incident two weeks ago, Brendon was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect that is more common in twins," she told the outlet in 2022 (Brendon had a twin brother, Kelly Donovan). "He is currently under the care of a cardiologist and has been focusing on painting and reducing stress." Fortier added that Brendon's second 2021 spinal surgery resulted in cerebrospinal fluid leak that caused tachycardia at the time of his second cardiac event.

She said the actor also had a C5/C6 spinal fusion surgery in April 2025.

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Brendon's family announced his death in a social media post on Friday.

"We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes," the family wrote. "Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends, and fans."

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