Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2017	Apr. 29, 2016	Apr. 24, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 29,710	$ 28,833	$ 20,261
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold	9,291	9,142	6,309
Research and development expense	2,193	2,224	1,640
Selling, general, and administrative expense	9,711	9,469	6,904
Special charge (gain), net	100	70	(38)
Restructuring charges, net	363	290	237
Certain litigation charges	300	26	42
Acquisition-related items	220	283	550
Amortization of intangible assets	1,980	1,931	733
Other expense, net	222	107	118
Operating profit	5,330	5,291	3,766
Interest income	(366)	(431)	(386)
Interest expense	1,094	1,386	666
Interest expense, net	728	955	280
Income before provision for income taxes	4,602	4,336	3,486
Provision for income taxes	578	798	811
Net income	4,024	3,538	2,675
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	0	0
Net income attributable to Medtronic	$ 4,028	$ 3,538	$ 2,675
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.92	$ 2.51	$ 2.44
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.89	$ 2.48	$ 2.41
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	1,378.9	1,409.6	1,095.5
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	1,391.4	1,425.9	1,109.0
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.72	$ 1.52	$ 1.22