In this prospective study, 100 patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) were assessed at discharge, 3 months, and 1 year using modern methods of neuropsychology to examine cognitive status and semistructured interviews to assess changes in personality and quality of life. A control group of 50 patients suffering myocardial infarction were also assessed at discharge and 1 year. Results of cognitive testing in the SAH group were unremarkable and compared well with the control group. Similarly, there was no evidence of a consequent reduction in the quality of life in the majority of the SAH patients. These results lead us to conclude that where the medical and surgical course of SAH is uncomplicated, patients recover with no permanent or significant reduction in their intellectual ability of life status. Possible reasons for the difference between these results and those of other studies are discussed.