-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000740260-09-000119.txt : 20090811
<SEC-HEADER>0000740260-09-000119.hdr.sgml : 20090811
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090811182848
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000740260-09-000119
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090807
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090811
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090811

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RINEY T RICHARD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001215185

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10989
		FILM NUMBER:		091004897

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VENTAS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000740260
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				611055020
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		111 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4800
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(877) 483-6827

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		111 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 4800
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60606
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
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<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

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    <periodOfReport>2009-08-07</periodOfReport>

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        <issuerName>VENTAS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>VTR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

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        <reportingOwnerId>
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            <rptOwnerName>RINEY T RICHARD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10350 ORMSBY PARK PLACE, SUITE 300</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOUISVILLE,</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>40223</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Chief Admin. Off., GC</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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                    <value>D</value>
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    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">On August 7, 2009, the Reporting Person transmitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission a Form 144 covering the sale of the Issuer's common stock reported on Table I.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These shares are being sold pursuant to a written non-discretionary Rule 10b5-1(c) sales plan dated August 8, 2008.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Please see the Reporting Person's subsequent Form 4 filing dated the date hereof which contains additional transactions which are part of one aggregate direction under the Rule 10b5-1(c) sales plan described in Footnote (2).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>T. Richard Riney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-08-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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