hPa

Abbreviation with 2 meanings

hPa
Stands forHectopascal
Meanings2
CategoriesUnits & Measurements, Medical
Also writtenHPA

hPa has two meanings. It stands for Hectopascal (engineering unit) or Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (axis) (endocrinology & diabetes).

Meanings of hPa at a glance

#hPa stands forContext
1HectopascalUnits & Measurements › Engineering Unit
2Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (axis)Medical › Endocrinology & Diabetes

1. Hectopascal

Units & Measurements · Engineering Unit Abbreviations

Weather forecasts and aviation outside North America give atmospheric pressure in hectopascals, each 100 pascals. Standard sea-level pressure is 1013.25 hPa, and the strongest hurricanes have central pressures below 920 hPa.

Example: Pressure is falling steadily, now 998 hPa, with a low approaching from the west.

The hectopascal equals the older millibar exactly, so meteorologists switched without changing any numbers. Pilots in most countries set their altimeters to QNH in hPa, while North American pilots use inches of mercury. The lowest sea-level pressure ever recorded, 870 hPa, was in Typhoon Tip in 1979.

2. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (axis) (HPA)

Medical · Endocrinology & Diabetes Abbreviations · also used in science

Hormonal chain in which the hypothalamus releases CRH, prompting the pituitary to secrete ACTH, which drives cortisol production by the adrenal glands; cortisol then feeds back to dampen the system. It governs the stress response, daily cortisol rhythm and immune regulation.

Example: HPA axis suppression likely after 6 months of prednisone 20 mg; taper slowly, test morning cortisol.

Supraphysiologic glucocorticoid doses for more than about three weeks can suppress the axis for months, which is why long courses are tapered. Disturbances of HPA function are studied in depression and PTSD. Parallel hormonal chains include the HPT (thyroid) and HPG (gonadal) axes.

More engineering unit abbreviations

  • gpm – Gallons per minute
  • GW – Gigawatt
  • GWh – Gigawatt-hour
  • hp – Horsepower
  • HRC – Rockwell hardness C (scale)
  • Hz – Hertz
  • in-lb – Inch-pound
  • inH2O – Inches of water column

See all 103 engineering unit abbreviations →

More endocrinology & diabetes abbreviations

  • GHD – Growth hormone deficiency
  • GMI – Glucose management indicator
  • HHNK – Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic state
  • HHS – Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
  • ICR – Insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio
  • IDDM – Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
  • IFG – Impaired fasting glucose
  • IGF-1 – Insulin-like growth factor 1

See all 64 endocrinology & diabetes abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.