Segment and Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Oct. 30, 2020	Oct. 25, 2019	Oct. 30, 2020	Oct. 25, 2019
Segment Operating Profit
Segment operating profit	$ 930	$ 1,351	$ 1,603	$ 2,836
Interest expense	(470)	(165)	(641)	(774)
Amortization of intangible assets	(443)	(441)	(884)	(881)
Restructuring and associated costs	(97)	(27)	(150)	(74)
Certain litigation charges, net	(84)	(121)	4	(168)
Income before income taxes	525	1,294	1,109	2,271
Geographic Information
Net sales	7,647	7,706	14,154	15,199
Ireland
Geographic Information
Net sales	24	23	49	43
United States
Geographic Information
Net sales	4,054	4,129	7,405	8,046
Rest of world
Geographic Information
Net sales	3,569	3,554	6,700	7,110
Total other countries, excluding Ireland
Geographic Information
Net sales	7,623	7,683	14,105	15,156
Operating Segments
Segment Operating Profit
Segment operating profit	2,704	2,939	4,543	5,706
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Operating Profit
Interest expense	(470)	(165)	(641)	(774)
Other non-operating income, net	65	108	147	209
Amortization of intangible assets	(443)	(441)	(884)	(881)
Corporate	(460)	(350)	(825)	(657)
Centralized distribution costs	(542)	(424)	(940)	(768)
Restructuring and associated costs	(179)	(94)	(307)	(218)
Acquisition-related items	(37)	(27)	68	(46)
Certain litigation charges, net	(84)	(121)	4	(168)
IPR&D charges	(10)	0	(19)	0
Exit of businesses	0	(41)	0	(41)
Debt tender premium and other charges	0	0	0	7
Medical device regulations	(19)	(10)	(37)	(18)
Special Charges (Gains)	0	(80)	0	(80)
Cardiac & Vascular Group
Geographic Information
Net sales	2,725	2,855	5,158	5,645
Cardiac & Vascular Group \| United States
Geographic Information
Net sales	1,377	1,455	2,582	2,816
Cardiac & Vascular Group \| Operating Segments
Segment Operating Profit
Segment operating profit	992	1,128	1,751	2,183
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group
Geographic Information
Net sales	2,285	2,142	4,086	4,242
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group \| United States
Geographic Information
Net sales	996	922	1,718	1,835
Minimally Invasive Therapies Group \| Operating Segments
Segment Operating Profit
Segment operating profit	775	823	1,230	1,593
Restorative Therapies Group
Geographic Information
Net sales	2,063	2,112	3,774	4,124
Restorative Therapies Group \| United States
Geographic Information
Net sales	1,397	1,440	2,533	2,778
Restorative Therapies Group \| Operating Segments
Segment Operating Profit
Segment operating profit	805	840	1,327	1,633
Diabetes Group
Geographic Information
Net sales	574	596	1,136	1,188
Diabetes Group \| United States
Geographic Information
Net sales	284	311	572	618
Diabetes Group \| Operating Segments
Segment Operating Profit
Segment operating profit	$ 132	$ 148	$ 235	$ 297

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