Revenue - Disaggregation of Net Sales by Market Geography for Each Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 30, 2020	Oct. 25, 2019	Oct. 30, 2020	Oct. 25, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 7,647	$ 7,706	$ 14,154	$ 15,199
U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	4,054	4,129	7,405	8,046
Non-U.S. Developed Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	2,446	2,315	4,621	4,692
Emerging Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	1,147	1,262	2,128	2,460
Cardiac & Vascular Group
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	2,725	2,855	5,158	5,645
Cardiac & Vascular Group | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	1,377	1,455	2,582	2,816
Cardiac & Vascular Group | Non-U.S. Developed Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	945	890	1,798	1,820
Cardiac & Vascular Group | Emerging Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	404	510	778	1,009
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	2,285	2,142	4,086	4,242
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	996	922	1,718	1,835
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group | Non-U.S. Developed Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	837	782	1,556	1,573
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group | Emerging Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	452	438	811	834
Restorative Therapies Group
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	2,063	2,112	3,774	4,124
Restorative Therapies Group | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	1,397	1,440	2,533	2,778
Restorative Therapies Group | Non-U.S. Developed Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	426	416	802	842
Restorative Therapies Group | Emerging Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	240	256	439	504
Diabetes Group
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	574	596	1,136	1,188
Diabetes Group | U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	284	311	572	618
Diabetes Group | Non-U.S. Developed Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	238	226	465	457
Diabetes Group | Emerging Markets
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 51	$ 59	$ 100	$ 113