Einthoven's Triangle is an imaginary equilateral triangle mapped out over a body. The heart rests at the center of the triangle and the three standard limb leads of the electrocardiogram represent the points of the triangle.

Einthoven's Law is based on the information gathered from the Triangle. It states that in an electrocardiogram at any given instant, the potential of any wave in lead two is equal to the sum of the potentials in lead one and three. It may not be as earth-shattering as Einstein's theories - but for the medical world, it probably came close.


He was duly recognized for his major contributions and in 1924, Einthoven was awarded the Nobel Prize for physiology or medicine for his discovery of the mechanism of the electrocardiogram. Being an incredibly modest man by the estimations of his peers, it's questionable if he would admit to the importance of his work and his discoveries. His goal was clear though, to serve mankind.

"We should first endeavor to better understand the working of the heart in all its details, and the cause of a large variety of abnormalities. This will enable us, in a possibly still-distant future and based upon a clear insight and improved knowledge, to give relief to the suffering of our patients." - Willem Einthoven (1860-1927)

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