Q 1:  In ASCOT, there were 34% (adjusted) fewer occurrences of NOD in the patients in the amlodipine arm than in the atenolol arm. How does that compare with other studies that weigh calcium channel blockers (CCBs) against b-blockers or diuretics? 

A: The results shown in ASCOT are quite consistent with the results of other studies, and are even slightly more positive for amlodipine  as demonstrated by the even lower risk of developing NOD compared with patients  taking a calcium channel