Properties of arteries Aorta Comes off the heart Sustains high blood pressures Elastic but rigid wa‖l Arteries ° Lower blood pressures Often have muscular wall and can contractProperties of arteries ➢ Aorta ⚫ Comes off the heart ⚫ Sustains high blood pressures ⚫ Elastic but rigid wall ➢ Arteries ⚫ Lower blood pressures ⚫ Often have muscular wall and can contract