A fluid end for a reciprocating pump including a body having a base, a side and a longitudinal opposing side, a cylinder bore formed horizontally through the body and a vertical bore intersecting the cylinder bore defining a high stress region proximate the intersection, and a tension member extending through the body substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, wherein the tension member provides a compressive load on the body reducing the stresses encountered in the region during operation of the fluid end.