X0306 4 2015-04-15 0 0000766704 HEALTH CARE REIT INC /DE/ HCN 0001242824 ESTES SCOTT A 4500 DORR STREET TOLEDO OH 43615 0 1 0 0 EVP and CFO Common Stock 2015-04-15 4 M 0 3831 37.00 A 99012 D Common Stock 2015-04-15 4 S 0 3831 76.15 D 95181 D Option (Right to Buy) 37.00 2015-04-15 4 M 0 3831 0.00 D 2011-01-15 2019-01-29 Common 22985 19154 D The shares covered by this Form 4 have been sold pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plan dated March 27, 2015. Options for the purchase of 33,813 shares of common stock at $37.00 per share were granted to Mr. Estes on January 29, 2009, which grant has previously been reported. The partial exercise of these options for the purchase of 10,828 shares has previously been reported. Of the remaining options, options for the purchase of 2,698 shares vested on January 15, 2011, options for the purchase of 6,763 shares vested on January 15, 2012 and options for the purchase of 6,762 shares vested on January 15 of each of 2013 and 2014. The options were granted under the Health Care REIT, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan and had no acquisition price. By: Erin C. Ibele Attorney-in-Fact For: Scott A. Estes 2015-04-17