Segment and Geographic Information - Income From Operations Before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment and Reconciliation to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2022	Oct. 29, 2021	Oct. 28, 2022	Oct. 29, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating profit	$ 1,404,000,000	$ 1,563,000,000	$ 2,528,000,000	$ 2,422,000,000
Other non-operating income, net	109,000,000	66,000,000	192,000,000	177,000,000
Amortization of intangible assets	(421,000,000)	(431,000,000)	(844,000,000)	(866,000,000)
Restructuring and associated costs and RCS/MCS impairment / costs			(180,000,000)
Certain litigation charges, net	0	(34,000,000)	0	(60,000,000)
Income before income taxes	1,395,000,000	1,493,000,000	2,438,000,000	2,326,000,000
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating profit	2,733,000,000	3,047,000,000	5,223,000,000	6,219,000,000
Operating Segments | Cardiovascular
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating profit	1,047,000,000	1,095,000,000	2,003,000,000	2,256,000,000
Operating Segments | Medical Surgical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating profit	714,000,000	908,000,000	1,356,000,000	1,823,000,000
Operating Segments | Neuroscience
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating profit	876,000,000	887,000,000	1,691,000,000	1,850,000,000
Operating Segments | Diabetes
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating profit	96,000,000	157,000,000	174,000,000	290,000,000
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest expense	(118,000,000)	(136,000,000)	(282,000,000)	(273,000,000)
Other non-operating income, net	109,000,000	66,000,000	192,000,000	177,000,000
Amortization of intangible assets	(421,000,000)	(431,000,000)	(844,000,000)	(866,000,000)
Corporate	(402,000,000)	(415,000,000)	(816,000,000)	(864,000,000)
Centralized distribution costs	(311,000,000)	(516,000,000)	(622,000,000)	(981,000,000)
Acquisition-related items	(2,000,000)	13,000,000	(38,000,000)	(6,000,000)
Certain litigation charges, net	0	(34,000,000)	0	(60,000,000)
IPR&D charges	0	0	0	(90,000,000)
Medical device regulations	(37,000,000)	(24,000,000)	(70,000,000)	(45,000,000)
Exit of business	(37,000,000)	0	(37,000,000)	0
Segment Reconciling Items | Restructurings Excluding RCS and MCS
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and associated costs and RCS/MCS impairment / costs	(95,000,000)	(77,000,000)	(171,000,000)	(159,000,000)
Segment Reconciling Items | Renal Care Business (RCS)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and associated costs and RCS/MCS impairment / costs	(24,000,000)	0	(99,000,000)	0
Segment Reconciling Items | Mechanical Circulatory Support Operating Unit (MCS)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and associated costs and RCS/MCS impairment / costs	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (726,000,000)