A/Prof Saurabh Kumar

Cardiologist & Electrophysiologist
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Holter & Ambulatory Rhythm Monitoring

Accurate, real-time insight into your heart’s rhythm

Not all heart rhythm disturbances occur during a clinic visit. Many arrhythmias are intermittent—appearing unpredictably during daily life, rest, or physical activity. Holter and ambulatory rhythm monitoring provide continuous, real-world data on your heart’s electrical activity, helping to detect abnormalities that may not be seen on a standard ECG.

At his Sydney practice, A/Prof Saurabh Kumar offers a comprehensive range of ambulatory rhythm monitoring services tailored to the patient’s symptoms, frequency of episodes, and clinical background. As a Cardiologist and Interventional Electrophysiologist, he uses these tools to support accurate diagnosis and guide long-term management of both common and complex cardiac arrhythmias.

When is Ambulatory Monitoring Recommended?

Ambulatory ECG monitoring is useful in both diagnostic and follow-up scenarios. Common reasons for referral include:

Intermittent sensations of a racing, skipping, or fluttering heartbeat are one of the most frequent symptoms prompting cardiac evaluation. While often benign, palpitations can sometimes reflect underlying rhythm disturbances that require treatment.

Monitoring helps identify bradycardia, transient arrhythmias, or pauses that may lead to loss of consciousness.

AF can come and go unpredictably, and may be asymptomatic. Extended rhythm monitoring improves the chance of capturing these episodes, which is vital for stroke prevention and treatment planning.
When symptoms suggest either an abnormally slow or fast heart rate, ambulatory monitors allow for precise detection of the heart’s behaviour over time.
Monitoring is often used after a catheter ablation or pacemaker/ICD procedure to evaluate therapeutic success and check for any residual or new arrhythmias.

According to the Heart Foundation of Australia, over 500,000 Australians are living with atrial fibrillation, and many cases remain undiagnosed. Ambulatory ECG monitoring plays a key role in uncovering silent or transient AF that may otherwise go untreated.

Types of Monitoring Services Offered

A/Prof Kumar offers several ambulatory monitoring options, selected according to the patient’s clinical history, frequency of symptoms, and need for long-term rhythm assessment.
This is the most common form of ambulatory ECG. A small portable device continuously records your heart rhythm over one to three days. It is ideal for patients who experience symptoms daily or multiple times per week.
For individuals with less frequent or unpredictable symptoms, longer-term monitoring increases the likelihood of capturing clinically significant events. Patch monitors are discreet, water-resistant, and comfortable to wear over extended periods.
These devices allow patients to press a button to record their heart rhythm whenever symptoms occur. Some models also automatically detect and record abnormal rhythms, even if the patient does not notice them. Event monitors are particularly helpful when episodes are infrequent but concerning.
All types of monitoring include a diary or patient app to log symptoms. This enables precise correlation between what the patient feels (e.g. palpitations, dizziness, syncope) and what the heart is doing at that time—helping to distinguish benign sensations from clinically significant arrhythmias.

In patients with known paroxysmal AF, monitoring is used to quantify how much time is spent in arrhythmia. This information is important for tailoring medication, planning ablation procedures, or determining whether anticoagulation is needed.

Some arrhythmias are triggered by specific states such as sleep or exercise. Monitoring over an extended period, including during physical activity and overnight, can reveal patterns that would be missed on in-office tests.

The Monitoring Process

The monitoring process is straightforward, comfortable, and completely non-invasive. It typically involves the following steps:

  1. Initial consultation – A/Prof Kumar will review your history, symptoms, and ECG findings to determine the most appropriate type and duration of monitoring.
  2. Device fitting – The chosen monitor is applied during a brief clinic appointment. You will receive instructions on how to wear, maintain, and record symptoms during the monitoring period.
  3. Data recording – The device continuously tracks your heart rhythm, storing data to be analysed after completion.
  4. Symptom logging – You will be provided with a physical or digital diary to record any symptoms you experience, with time stamps for correlation.
  5. Data analysis and report – Once monitoring is complete, the device is returned and the data are carefully reviewed. A/Prof Kumar will analyse the results in detail and provide a clear explanation, along with next steps for treatment or further testing.

Precision-Driven, Patient-Focused Care

With over 15+ years of experience in the diagnosis and management of heart rhythm disorders, A/Prof Saurabh Kumar ensures that each patient’s monitoring strategy is tailored, evidence-based, and aligned with the most recent clinical guidelines. These technologies are not just about detection—they are tools that inform better treatment decisions, reduce unnecessary interventions, and support long-term cardiovascular health. For patients in Sydney and beyond, A/Prof Kumar offers access to the full spectrum of modern ambulatory rhythm monitoring options—interpreted in the context of expert clinical care.

Take Control of Your Heart Health Today.

A/Prof Saurabh Kumar brings over 15+ years of clinical expertise to the care of patients with heart rhythm disorders and general cardiac conditions. He is widely regarded within the Australian cardiology community and internationally for his depth of knowledge, collaborative style, and commitment to patient-centred care.

He holds dual roles as a Staff Specialist Cardiologist and Cardiac Electrophysiologist at Westmead Hospital and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Sydney. He currently serves as the Program Director for Ventricular Arrhythmias and Sudden Cardiac Death at Westmead Hospital and is the Translational Electrophysiology Lead at the Westmead Applied Research Centre, University of Sydney.

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