The investigators assessed the magnitude and timing of the seasonal effect for total cholesterol and the important lipoprotein subfractions (low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, apolipoproteins AI and B, and lipoprotein (a)) in both sexes and at different ages. They also identified and quantified the effects of the main factors determining the variation and assessed the seasonal variation of other blood elements thought to play a role in the development of coronary heart disease, including hemostatic factors and antioxidants Finally, they explored the implications of the phenomenon for public health policy.