Weighted average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

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Amount of liability recognized arising from contingent consideration in a business combination.

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This element represents the amount of revenue of the acquiree since the acquisition date included in the consolidated income statement for the reporting period.

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The amount of identifiable intangible assets recognized as of the acquisition date.

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Amount of long-term debt due after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date.

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Amount recognized for assets, including goodwill, in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed.

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Amount of short-term debt and current maturity of long-term debt and capital lease obligations due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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Acquisitions and Acquisition-Related Items , Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions			1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 23, 2016	Aug. 05, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Apr. 28, 2017	Apr. 29, 2016	Apr. 24, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill				$ 38,515	$ 41,500	$ 40,530
Repayments of debt			$ 203
Current debt obligations				7,520	993
Acquisition-related charges				230	283	550
Contingent consideration				246	377	264
Other liabilities
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration				180	311
Other accrued expenses
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration				66	66
Professional services and integration costs
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition-related charges				225	219	275
Accelerated or incremental stock compensation expense
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition-related charges				23	$ 58	189
Incremental officer and director excise tax
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition-related charges						$ 69
Cost of products sold
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition-related charges				10
HeartWare International, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total consideration	$ 1,072
Finite-lived intangibles	625
Goodwill	427
Long-term debt	245
Current debt obligations				42
Sales attributable to acquired entity since acquisition date				155
HeartWare International, Inc. \| Customer-related and technology-related
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangibles	$ 602
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	15 years
HeartWare International, Inc. \| Tradenames
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangibles	$ 23
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life	5 years
Smith & Nephew's Gynecology Business
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total consideration		$ 350
Finite-lived intangibles		167
Goodwill		180
Long-term debt		0
Sales attributable to acquired entity since acquisition date				$ 45
Smith & Nephew's Gynecology Business \| Customer-related and technology-related
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangibles		$ 167
Finite-lived intangible asset, useful life		13 years