Commercial Paper, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	mdt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Number of Tranches

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Additional borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mdt_LineOfCreditFacilityAdditionalBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	mdt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line of Credit Facility, Length of Extension

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	mdt_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line of Credit, Number of Extension Options

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The weighted average original maturity of short-term debt outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	mdt_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageOriginalMaturity
Namespace Prefix:	mdt_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of short-term debt and current maturity of long-term debt and capital lease obligations due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtCurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of the original debt instrument that was repurchased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) from the difference between the repurchase price of a debt instrument initially issued by the entity and the net carrying amount of the debt at the time of its repurchase.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnRepurchaseOfDebtInstrument
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117329964&loc=d3e12355-112629

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117329964&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for a long-term debt where the holder has highest claim on the entity's asset in case of bankruptcy or liquidation during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118932676&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of short-term debt outstanding calculated at point in time.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mdt_AmendedandRestatedRevolvingCreditAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mdt_SeniorNotes2019Member
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mdt_SeniorNotes2019Due2021FloatingMember
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mdt_SeniorNotes2019Due2023Member
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Balance Type:
Period Type:

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Balance Type:
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Period Type:

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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=mdt_SeniorNotes2011Due2021Member
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Financing Arrangements , Additional Information (Details)		1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 12, 2018 USD ($) extension	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) tranche	Apr. 27, 2018 USD ($)	Apr. 26, 2019 USD ($)	Apr. 27, 2018 USD ($)	Apr. 28, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 EUR (€) tranche	Jan. 26, 2015 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of current debt obligations outstanding			$ 2,058,000,000	$ 838,000,000	$ 2,058,000,000
Principal value			24,500,000,000	25,000,000,000.0	24,500,000,000
Cash proceeds				7,794,000,000	21,000,000	$ 2,140,000,000
Loss on debt extinguishment				457,000,000	38,000,000	$ 0
Estimated fair value of senior notes			25,100,000,000	26,200,000,000	25,100,000,000
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption of senior notes, face amount		$ 6,400,000,000	1,200,000,000		1,200,000,000
Redemption of senior notes, consideration		6,900,000,000	1,200,000,000
Loss on debt extinguishment		$ 485,000,000
Loss on debt redemption			38,000,000
$3.5 Billion Revolving Credit Facility \| Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 3,500,000,000
Debt term	5 years
Line of credit, number of extension options \| extension	2
Length of extension from maturity date	1 year
Additional borrowing capacity	$ 1,000,000,000.0
Committed line of credit outstanding			$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
2019 Senior Notes \| Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of tranches \| tranche		6					6
Principal value \| €							€ 7,000,000,000.0
Cash proceeds		$ 7,800,000,000
Floating rate two-year 2019 senior notes \| Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term				2 years
Principal value \| €							€ 500,000,000
0.000 percent two-year 2019 senior notes \| Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		0.00%		0.00%			0.00%
Debt term				2 years
Principal value \| €							€ 1,500,000,000
0.375 percent four-year 2019 senior notes \| Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		0.375%		0.375%			0.375%
Debt term				4 years
Principal value \| €							€ 1,500,000,000
1.125 percent eight-year 2019 senior notes \| Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		1.125%		1.125%			1.125%
Debt term				8 years
Principal value \| €							€ 1,500,000,000
1.625 percent twelve-year 2019 senior notes \| Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		1.625%		1.625%			1.625%
Debt term				12 years
Principal value \| €							€ 1,000,000,000.0
2.250 percent twenty-year 2019 senior notes \| Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		2.25%		2.25%			2.25%
Debt term				20 years
Principal value \| €							€ 1,000,000,000.0
4.125 percent ten-year 2011 senior notes \| Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			4.125%	4.125%	4.125%
Debt term				10 years
Principal value			$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000
3.125 percent ten-year 2012 senior notes \| Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			3.125%	3.125%	3.125%
Debt term				10 years
Principal value			$ 675,000,000	$ 675,000,000	$ 675,000,000
Senior Notes \| 1.700 percent two-year 2017 senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate				1.70%
Amount of current debt obligations outstanding			1,000,000,000	$ 0	1,000,000,000
Debt term				2 years
Repayments of debt		$ 1,000,000,000.0
Bank borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of current debt obligations outstanding			$ 355,000,000	$ 332,000,000	$ 355,000,000
Bank borrowings \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate				0.18%
Commercial paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average original maturity				27 days	28 days
Weighted average interest rate			1.46%	2.12%	1.46%
Commercial paper \| Commercial paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial paper, maximum borrowing capacity								$ 3,500,000,000
Amount of current debt obligations outstanding			$ 698,000,000	$ 0	$ 698,000,000