What does "hyper-" refer to in a medical context?

In a medical context, the prefix "hyper-" specifically refers to an excessive or abnormally high amount of something. This term is commonly used to describe conditions or measurements that exceed normal levels. For example, "hypertension" denotes high blood pressure, indicating a level greater than what is considered normal or healthy. Similarly, "hyperglycemia" refers to excessively high levels of glucose in the blood. Thus, understanding "hyper-" as denoting excess is essential for interpreting various medical terms accurately.