Income Taxes , Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 26, 2015	Apr. 29, 2016	Apr. 24, 2015	Apr. 25, 2014	Apr. 26, 2013
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax credit carryforward		$ 202
Tax credit carryforward, no expiration		98
Valuation allowance		7,032	$ 5,607
Income tax settlements and adjustments		417	349
Cash, cash equivalents and investments in marketable debt and equity securities became available		9,700
Tax benefit associated with the disposition of a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary		25
Tax adjustment associated with proposed settlement			329
Tax benefit associated with the reversal of excess tax accruals				$ 71
Tax benefit related to the settlement of certain issues reached with the U.S. Internal Revenue Services				63
Undistributed earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries		29,000	27,800	20,500
Gross unrecognized tax benefits		2,703	2,860	1,172	$ 1,068
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate		2,100	2,200	1,100
Gross unrecognized tax benefits, current liability		7
Gross unrecognized tax benefits, long-term liability		2,700
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible (as much as)		500
Accrued income tax penalties and interest		609	656	141
Interest expense		80	$ 142	$ 36
Covidien plc [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Tax on gain associated with the Covidien acquisition	$ 20
Non-U.S. Tax Authorities [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards		26,600
Net operating loss carryforwards, no expiration		22,400
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiring in future years		4,200
Net operating loss carryforwards, valuation allowance		8,600
Special deductions not recorded		$ 12,400
Special deductions, estimated tax rate, minimum		1.00%
Special deductions, estimated tax rate, maximum		3.00%
Impact on diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.33	$ 0.37	$ 0.42
Non-U.S. Tax Authorities [Member] | Subsidiaries [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards		$ 18,000
U.S. Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards		847
Income tax settlements and adjustments		442
State and Local Tax Authorities [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards		$ 755