The following items are included within acquisition-related items: The change in the fair value of the contingent milestone consideration for the reporting period, certain-related acquisition costs, such as banker fees, legal fees, severance, and other professional fees, and impairment losses of recently acquired in-process research and development (IPR&D).

No definition available.

Name:	mdt_AcquisitionRelatedGainsCharges
Namespace Prefix:	mdt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Acquisitions and Acquisition-Related Items (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 26, 2013	Jul. 27, 2012	Aug. 07, 2013 Cardiocom Subsequent Event	Jul. 26, 2013 Change in the Amount of Contingent Consideration	Jul. 27, 2012 Change in the Amount of Contingent Consideration
Acquisition-related Items
Acquisition-related items	$ (96)	$ 5		$ (96)	$ 5
Other Disclosures
Total value of transaction, net of Cardiocom's cash			$ 193