Revenue - Disaggregation of Net Sales by Market Geography for Each Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Apr. 24, 2020	Jan. 24, 2020	Oct. 25, 2019	Jul. 26, 2019	Apr. 26, 2019	Jan. 25, 2019	Oct. 26, 2018	Jul. 27, 2018	Apr. 24, 2020	Apr. 26, 2019	Apr. 27, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 5,998	$ 7,717	$ 7,706	$ 7,493	$ 8,146	$ 7,546	$ 7,481	$ 7,384	$ 28,913	$ 30,557	$ 29,953
U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									14,919	16,194	15,875
Non-U.S. Developed Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									9,287	9,631	9,627
Emerging Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									4,707	4,732	4,451
Cardiac and Vascular Group
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									10,468	11,505	11,354
Cardiac and Vascular Group | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									5,062	5,750	5,681
Cardiac and Vascular Group | Non-U.S. Developed Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									3,519	3,767	3,790
Cardiac and Vascular Group | Emerging Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									1,887	1,988	1,883
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									8,352	8,478	8,716
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									3,532	3,630	3,804
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group | Non-U.S. Developed Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									3,169	3,250	3,378
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group | Emerging Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									1,651	1,598	1,534
Restorative Therapies Group
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									7,725	8,183	7,743
Restorative Therapies Group | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									5,122	5,478	5,164
Restorative Therapies Group | Non-U.S. Developed Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									1,659	1,759	1,720
Restorative Therapies Group | Emerging Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									945	946	859
Diabetes Group
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									2,368	2,391	2,140
Diabetes Group | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									1,204	1,336	1,226
Diabetes Group | Non-U.S. Developed Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									940	855	739
Diabetes Group | Emerging Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 224	$ 200	$ 175