Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Real property owned:
Land and land improvements	$ 1,592,792	$ 1,365,391
Buildings and improvements	17,814,940	15,635,127
Acquired lease intangibles	811,495	673,684
Real property held for sale, net of accumulated depreciation	36,096	245,213
Construction in progress	86,820	162,984
Gross real property owned	20,342,143	18,082,399
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,739,767)	(1,555,055)
Net real property owned	18,602,376	16,527,344
Real estate loans receivable:
Real estate loans receivable	276,876	895,665
Net real estate investments	18,879,252	17,423,009
Other assets:
Equity Investments	781,792	438,936
Goodwill	68,321	68,321
Deferred loan expenses	73,735	66,327
Cash and cash equivalents	269,842	1,033,764
Restricted cash	225,360	107,657
Receivables and other assets	490,670	411,095
Total other assets	1,909,720	2,126,100
Total assets	20,788,972	19,549,109
Liabilities:
Borrowings under unsecured line of credit arrangement	710,000	0
Senior unsecured notes	6,610,873	6,114,151
Secured debt	2,452,495	2,336,196
Capital lease obligations	80,560	81,552
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	518,170	462,099
Total liabilities	10,372,098	8,993,998
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	33,727	34,592
Equity:
Preferred stock	1,022,917	1,022,917
Common stock	261,249	260,396
Capital in excess of par value	10,599,290	10,543,690
Treasury stock	(21,238)	(17,875)
Cumulative net income	2,256,479	2,184,819
Cumulative dividends	(3,910,727)	(3,694,579)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(33,091)	(11,028)
Other equity	5,893	6,461
Total Health Care REIT, Inc. stockholders' equity	10,180,772	10,294,801
Noncontrolling interests	202,375	225,718
Total equity	10,383,147	10,520,519
Total liabilities and equity	$ 20,788,972	$ 19,549,109