Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 24, 2015	Apr. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 20,261	$ 17,005	$ 16,590
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold	6,309	4,333	4,126
Research and development expense	1,640	1,477	1,557
Selling, general, and administrative expense	6,904	5,847	5,698
Special (gains) charges, net	(38)	40	0
Restructuring charges, net	237	78	172
Certain litigation charges, net	42	770	245
Acquisition-related items	550	117	(49)
Amortization of intangible assets	733	349	331
Other expense, net	118	181	108
Operating profit	3,766	3,813	4,402
Interest income	(386)	(271)	(237)
Interest expense	666	379	388
Interest expense, net	280	108	151
Income from operations before income taxes	3,486	3,705	4,251
Provision for income taxes	811	640	784
Net income	$ 2,675	$ 3,065	$ 3,467
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.44	$ 3.06	$ 3.40
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.41	$ 3.02	$ 3.37
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	1,095.5	1,002.1	1,019.3
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	1,109.0	1,013.6	1,027.5
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.22	$ 1.12	$ 1.04