What is a potential cause of high amylase other than pancreatitis?

High amylase levels can occur for several reasons beyond pancreatitis. Peptic ulcers are a relevant condition because they can irritate the stomach lining and may cause the production of various digestive enzymes to increase, including amylase. When there is irritation or damage to the gastrointestinal tract, it can result in elevated levels of amylase due to the activation of the enzyme in response to the body's need to aid in digestion.

In the context of the other options, while conditions such as heart attacks, kidney stones, and liver cancer can affect overall metabolism and enzyme levels, they do not typically result in a significant elevation of amylase. Heart attacks primarily impact cardiac enzymes, while kidney stones mainly influence urinary tract metrics, and liver cancer affects liver function tests rather than amylase directly. This makes peptic ulcers a more plausible alternative cause for elevated amylase levels.