Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2019	Jan. 25, 2019	Oct. 26, 2018	Jul. 27, 2018	Apr. 27, 2018	Jan. 26, 2018	Oct. 27, 2017	Jul. 28, 2017	Apr. 26, 2019	Apr. 27, 2018	Apr. 28, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 8,146	$ 7,546	$ 7,481	$ 7,384	$ 8,144	$ 7,369	$ 7,050	$ 7,390	$ 30,557	$ 29,953	$ 29,710
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold									9,155	9,067	9,294
Research and development expense									2,330	2,256	2,193
Selling, general, and administrative expense									10,418	10,238	10,018
Amortization of intangible assets									1,764	1,823	1,980
Restructuring charges, net									198	30	303
Certain litigation charges									166	61	300
Gain on sale of businesses									0	(697)	0
Other operating expense, net									258	535	239
Operating profit (loss)									6,268	6,640	5,383
Other non-operating income, net									(373)	(181)	(313)
Interest expense									1,444	1,146	1,094
Income (loss) before income taxes									5,197	5,675	4,602
Income tax provision									547	2,580	578
Net income (loss)	1,182	1,271	1,120	1,077	1,465	(1,392)	2,013	1,009	4,650	3,095	4,024
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests									(19)	9	4
Net income (loss) attributable to Medtronic	$ 1,172	$ 1,269	$ 1,115	$ 1,075	$ 1,460	$ (1,389)	$ 2,017	$ 1,016	$ 4,631	$ 3,104	$ 4,028
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.87	$ 0.95	$ 0.83	$ 0.79	$ 1.08	$ (1.03)	$ 1.49	$ 0.75	$ 3.44	$ 2.29	$ 2.92
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.87	$ 0.94	$ 0.82	$ 0.79	$ 1.07	$ (1.03)	$ 1.48	$ 0.74	$ 3.41	$ 2.27	$ 2.89
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)									1,346.4	1,356.7	1,378.9
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)									1,357.5	1,368.2	1,391.4