Schwarzeneger received a Billy Wilder award from the veteran director in 2000

Dr Heepe had never examined the actor and said that Schwarzenegger, 53, had used anabolic steroids during his earlier career as a bodybuilder, which were likely to cause the actor heart problems.

In a statement Schwarzenegger said: "I am delighted that the Berlin High Court agreed that it was wrong for Dr Heepe to make false statements about my health.

"This reconfirms that the record must be set straight that I am in excellent health, as I have been since my elective surgery in 1997."

I will not sit back passively when people tell lies about me

Arnold Schwarzenegger

The star of the Terminator movies did have elective surgery in 1997 to repair a defective heart valve.

Heepe has since issued a retraction and an apology.

Schwarzenegger, who is married to TV journalist Marie Shriver and has four children said: "I hope that my prosecution of this case sends a strong message to opportunists around the world that I will not sit back passively when people tell lies about me."