Background The authors report the first retrospective analysis of all reported cases of death from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the state of New Mexico from 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2007.

Methods Data were obtained from the New Mexico Vital Records and Health Statistics Department in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Results The incidence of death from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the state of New Mexico is 2.96/100 000 people per year. Each cultural subgroup and various risk factors in these patients were further analyzed.

Conclusions This report represents the first documented review of death from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in the state of New Mexico. There was a lower incidence in New Mexico compared with the national average. Cultural breakdowns and associated epidemiological factors are discussed.