Segment and Geographic Information , Reconciliation of Income Before Provision for Income Taxes from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2019	Apr. 27, 2018	Apr. 28, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ (1,764,000,000)	$ (1,823,000,000)	$ (1,980,000,000)
Certain litigation charges	(166,000,000)	(61,000,000)	(300,000,000)
Divestiture-related items			0
Gain on sale of businesses	0	697,000,000	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,197,000,000	5,675,000,000	4,602,000,000
Reportable segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment EBITA	11,869,000,000	11,498,000,000	11,126,000,000
Interest income	283,000,000	397,000,000	366,000,000
Reportable segments | Cardiac and Vascular Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment EBITA	4,541,000,000	4,460,000,000	4,134,000,000
Reportable segments | Minimally Invasive Therapies Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment EBITA	3,266,000,000	3,346,000,000	3,434,000,000
Reportable segments | Restorative Therapies Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment EBITA	3,323,000,000	3,058,000,000	2,868,000,000
Reportable segments | Diabetes Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment EBITA	739,000,000	634,000,000	690,000,000
Segment reconciling items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	(1,444,000,000)	(1,146,000,000)	(1,094,000,000)
Amortization of intangible assets	(1,764,000,000)	(1,823,000,000)	(1,980,000,000)
Corporate	(1,253,000,000)	(1,437,000,000)	(1,232,000,000)
Centralized distribution costs	(1,688,000,000)	(1,936,000,000)	(1,543,000,000)
Restructuring and associated costs	(407,000,000)	(107,000,000)	(373,000,000)
Acquisition-related items	(88,000,000)	(132,000,000)	(230,000,000)
Certain litigation charges	(166,000,000)	(61,000,000)	(300,000,000)
Gain/(loss) on minority investments	62,000,000	0	0
IPR&D charges	(58,000,000)	(46,000,000)	0
Exit of businesses	(149,000,000)	0	0
Divestiture-related items	0	(115,000,000)	0
Gain on sale of businesses	0	697,000,000	0
Contribution to Medtronic Foundation	0	(80,000,000)	(100,000,000)
Hurricane Maria	0	(34,000,000)	0
Impact of inventory step-up	$ 0	$ 0	$ (38,000,000)