Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets , Changes in Goodwill (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2019	Apr. 27, 2018	Apr. 28, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 39,543,000,000	$ 38,515,000,000
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions	1,510,000,000	52,000,000
Purchase accounting adjustments		54,000,000
Currency translation and other	(1,094,000,000)	922,000,000
Goodwill, ending balance	39,959,000,000	39,543,000,000	$ 38,515,000,000
Goodwill impairment	0	0	0
Cardiac and Vascular Group
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	6,791,000,000	6,651,000,000
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions	165,000,000	6,000,000
Purchase accounting adjustments		54,000,000
Currency translation and other	(102,000,000)	80,000,000
Goodwill, ending balance	6,854,000,000	6,791,000,000	6,651,000,000
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	21,155,000,000	20,411,000,000
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions	83,000,000	10,000,000
Purchase accounting adjustments		0
Currency translation and other	(857,000,000)	734,000,000
Goodwill, ending balance	20,381,000,000	21,155,000,000	20,411,000,000
Restorative Therapies Group
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	9,717,000,000	9,600,000,000
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions	1,238,000,000	9,000,000
Purchase accounting adjustments		0
Currency translation and other	(134,000,000)	108,000,000
Goodwill, ending balance	10,821,000,000	9,717,000,000	9,600,000,000
Diabetes Group
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,880,000,000	1,853,000,000
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions	24,000,000	27,000,000
Purchase accounting adjustments		0
Currency translation and other	(1,000,000)	0
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 1,903,000,000	$ 1,880,000,000	$ 1,853,000,000