Definition of "polycythemia" []

• A condition marked by an abnormally large number of red blood cells in the circulatory system. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The blood cancer identified in the Tamaqua area is known as polycythemia vera - an abnormal increase in blood cells (primarily red blood cells) due to excess production of the cells by the bone marrow."
• "Murphy blamed Gans 'death on "acute hydromorphone toxicity," and said Gans also had hypertensive cardiovascular disease, a high blood pressure condition, and a condition called polycythemia that caused his red blood cell count to go up."
• "Even professional mountaineers are at risk for experiencing "polycythemia," in which the body manufactures too many red blood cells in reaction to oxygen deprivation. high blood pressure of the lung vessels can trigger respiratory failure, which can be deadly."