Which prefix is used to indicate something is excessive or abnormally high?

The prefix "hyper-" is used to denote something that is excessive, abnormally high, or above normal levels. For instance, in medical terminology, "hypertension" refers to abnormally high blood pressure, and "hyperglycemia" indicates an excessive level of glucose in the blood. This prefix conveys a sense of overactivity or surplus, which is why it is appropriate for describing conditions that exceed typical thresholds.

The other prefixes have different meanings which do not convey the idea of excess. "Hetero-" means different or other, generally used to indicate diversity. "Hypo-" indicates something low or under normal levels, such as in "hypotension," which refers to abnormally low blood pressure. "Meta-" typically refers to change or transformation and is not specifically focused on high levels. Understanding these distinctions clarifies why "hyper-" is the correct prefix for indicating a condition that is excessive or abnormally high.