Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Real property owned:
Land and land improvements	$ 1,146,099	$ 1,116,756
Buildings and improvements	13,575,137	13,073,747
Acquired lease intangibles	497,389	428,199
Real property held for sale, net of accumulated depreciation	165,736	36,115
Construction in progress	150,750	189,502
Gross real property owned	15,535,111	14,844,319
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,272,922)	(1,194,476)
Net real property owned	14,262,189	13,649,843
Real estate loans receivable:
Real estate loans receivable	298,868	292,507
Less allowance for losses on loans receivable	0	0
Net real estate loans receivable	298,868	292,507
Net real estate investments	14,561,057	13,942,350
Other assets:
Equity Investments	239,254	241,722
Goodwill	68,321	68,321
Deferred loan expenses	57,252	58,584
Cash and cash equivalents	469,217	163,482
Restricted cash	83,499	69,620
Receivables and other assets	381,134	380,527
Total other assets	1,298,677	982,256
Total assets	15,859,734	14,924,606
Liabilities:
Borrowings under unsecured line of credit arrangement	5,000	610,000
Senior unsecured notes	4,436,103	4,434,107
Secured debt	2,353,856	2,112,649
Capital lease obligations	83,020	83,996
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	393,202	371,557
Total liabilities	7,271,181	7,612,309
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	34,535	33,650
Equity:
Preferred stock	1,297,917	1,010,417
Common stock	213,529	192,299
Capital in excess of par value	8,088,573	7,019,714
Treasury stock	(17,265)	(13,535)
Cumulative net income	1,952,320	1,893,806
Cumulative dividends	(3,134,255)	(2,972,129)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(11,642)	(11,928)
Other equity	7,208	6,120
Total Health Care REIT, Inc. stockholders' equity	8,396,385	7,124,764
Noncontrolling interests	157,633	153,883
Total equity	8,554,018	7,278,647
Total liabilities and equity	$ 15,859,734	$ 14,924,606