Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes in Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2024	Apr. 28, 2023
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 41,425	$ 40,502
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions	131	1,340
Purchase accounting adjustments	(5)	(5)
Sale of RCS business		(208)
Currency translation and other	(565)	(204)
Goodwill, ending balance	40,986	41,425
Cardiovascular
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	7,873	7,160
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions	131	726
Purchase accounting adjustments	(5)	(6)
Sale of RCS business		0
Currency translation and other	(33)	(6)
Goodwill, ending balance	7,966	7,873
Neuroscience
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	11,718	11,132
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions	0	615
Purchase accounting adjustments	0	2
Sale of RCS business		0
Currency translation and other	(74)	(30)
Goodwill, ending balance	11,644	11,718
Medical Surgical
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	19,579	19,957
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions	0	0
Purchase accounting adjustments	0	0
Sale of RCS business		(208)
Currency translation and other	(458)	(170)
Goodwill, ending balance	19,121	19,579
Diabetes
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, beginning balance	2,255	2,254
Goodwill as a result of acquisitions	0	0
Purchase accounting adjustments	0	0
Sale of RCS business		0
Currency translation and other	0	1
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 2,255	$ 2,255