Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Jul. 28, 2017	Jul. 29, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 7,390	$ 7,166
Income before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Restructuring charges, net	(8)	(94)
Acquisition-related items	(44)	(52)
Divestiture-related items	(47)	0
Certain litigation charges	0	(82)
Amortization of intangible assets	(454)	(487)
Interest expense, net	(194)	(179)
Income from operations before income taxes	1,195	988
Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	4,367	4,297
U.S.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	4,000	4,000
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,732	1,650
Asia-Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	857	822
Greater China
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	434	397
Operating Segments
Income before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Income from operations before income taxes	2,678	2,606
Segment Reconciling Items
Income before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Restructuring charges, net	(14)	(104)
Acquisition-related items	(53)	(52)
Divestiture-related items	(48)	0
Certain litigation charges	0	(82)
Amortization of intangible assets	(454)	(487)
Centralized distribution costs	(442)	(401)
Interest expense, net	(194)	(179)
Corporate, Non-Segment
Income before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Corporate	(278)	(313)
Cardiac and Vascular Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,646	2,518
Cardiac and Vascular Group \| Operating Segments
Income before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Income from operations before income taxes	1,011	954
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,486	2,424
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group \| Operating Segments
Income before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Income from operations before income taxes	875	824
Restorative Therapies Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,809	1,772
Restorative Therapies Group \| Operating Segments
Income before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Income from operations before income taxes	680	669
Diabetes Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	449	452
Diabetes Group \| Operating Segments
Income before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Income from operations before income taxes	$ 112	$ 159

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Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations before deduction of income tax expense (benefit) and income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, and addition of income (loss) from equity method investments.

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