Retirement Benefit Plans , Change in Benefit Obligation and Funded Status (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 24, 2015	Apr. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2013	Apr. 24, 2015	Apr. 25, 2014
Funded status at end of year:
Underfunded status of the plan				$ (1,274)	$ (488)
Amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheet consist of:
Non-current liabilities				(1,535)	(662)
Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets
Accumulated benefit obligation				3,678	2,426
Projected benefit obligation				4,032	2,703
Plan asset at fair value				2,823	2,268
Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation				4,319	2,864
Plan assets at fair value				3,086	2,419
U.S. Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line items]
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year				2,699	1,996
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$ 2,203	$ 2,154
Service cost	104	107	$ 104
Interest cost	105	97	94
Benefit obligations assumed in Covidien acquisition	214	0
Employee contributions	0	0
Plan curtailments and settlements	0	0
Actuarial (gain) loss	391	(104)
Benefits paid	(61)	(51)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other	0	0
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	2,956	2,203	2,154
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	1,917	1,717
Actual return on plan assets	69	163
Plan assets acquired in Covidien acquisition	188	0
Employer contributions	91	88
Employee contributions	0	0
Plan settlements	0	0
Benefits paid	(61)	(51)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	2,204	1,917	1,717
Funded status at end of year:
Fair value of plan assets	1,917	1,717	1,717	2,204	1,917
Benefit obligations	2,203	2,154	2,154	2,956	2,203
Underfunded status of the plan				(752)	(286)
Recognized liability				(752)	(286)
Amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheet consist of:
Non-current assets				21	0
Current liabilities				(11)	(10)
Non-current liabilities				(762)	(276)
Recognized liability				(752)	(286)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
Prior service cost (benefit)				4	4
Net actuarial loss				1,253	837
Ending balance				1,257	841
Non-U.S. Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line items]
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year				1,462	871
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	1,031	811
Service cost	60	54	43
Interest cost	33	29	27
Benefit obligations assumed in Covidien acquisition	472	0
Employee contributions	16	16
Plan curtailments and settlements	(35)	(2)
Actuarial (gain) loss	354	88
Benefits paid	(34)	(27)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes and other	(250)	62
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	1,647	1,031	811
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	889	733
Actual return on plan assets	162	61
Plan assets acquired in Covidien acquisition	262	0
Employer contributions	80	48
Employee contributions	16	16
Plan settlements	(1)	0
Benefits paid	(34)	(27)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(185)	58
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	1,189	889	733
Funded status at end of year:
Fair value of plan assets	889	733	733	1,189	889
Benefit obligations	$ 1,031	$ 811	$ 811	1,647	1,031
Underfunded status of the plan				(458)	(142)
Recognized liability				(458)	(142)
Amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheet consist of:
Non-current assets				2	17
Current liabilities				(48)	(4)
Non-current liabilities				(412)	(155)
Recognized liability				(458)	(142)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income:
Prior service cost (benefit)				(2)	(2)
Net actuarial loss				372	254
Ending balance				$ 370	$ 252