Van Damme knocks down report of heart attack

LOS ANGELES — Belgian martial artist and actor Jean Claude Van Damme took to the web on Wednesday to deny reports he had suffered a heart attack on the set of his latest movie "Weapon."

"Hours ago, I read a rumor online about me suffering a heart attack," Van Damme, 50, said on his Facebook page.

"Please do not believe all what you read from rumors on any unofficial JCVD sites. Jean-Claude Van Damme is 100 percent healthy, training well for taking the fight and sending his fans and friends much love," the post added.

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A similar post on the actor's official website, www.musclesfrombrussels.be, said "JCVD is in better shape than ever and preparing for his fight in July. He did not suffer from a heart attack on the set of 'Weapon' as reported on some websites!"

One of Van Damme's representatives in Hollywood had no immediate comment, and another did not immediately return calls, which appear to have stemmed from a little-known movie website Twitch, citing postings by Van Damme fans.

Twitch said the action hero was admitted briefly to a hospital in New Orleans before shooting scenes for the movie there. The report said Van Damme was released, had returned to Belgium and would make a full recovery. It was not clear when the reported incident had taken place.

"Weapon" — an action movie about rival assassins fighting a drug cartel -- is expected to be released some time in 2011.