What is AST in blood test? | Aspartate Aminotransferase

Is there another non-liver condition that leads to high AST levels?

Of course, because AST is also found in the heart muscle, the skeletal tissue, and other organs. It actually has higher activity in these organs as compared to ALT, and you can find high levels during and after a heart attack or when you’re undergoing acute muscle damage.

Even if you feel fine, AST levels may go up if you’re under strenuous exercise because this causes muscle fibers to break. The increase in these conditions is not as noticeable and alarming as in hepatitis and other diseases that cause damage to the hepatocyte.