Segment and Geographic Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2012		Jan. 27, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011	Jul. 29, 2011	Apr. 29, 2011		Jan. 28, 2011	Oct. 29, 2010	Jul. 30, 2010	Apr. 27, 2012		Apr. 29, 2011		Apr. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information
Net Sales	$ 4,297		$ 3,918	$ 4,023	$ 3,946	$ 4,167		$ 3,857	$ 3,794	$ 3,690	$ 16,184		$ 15,508		$ 15,392
Earnings before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Reportable segments' earnings before income taxes											4,875		4,911		4,934
Restructuring charges, net											(87)		(259)		(50)
Certain litigation charges, net											(90)		(245)		(374)
Acquisition-related items											(12)		(14)		(23)
Interest expense, net											(149)		(278)		(246)
Corporate											(392)		(451)		(297)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes											4,145		3,664		3,944
Net Assets by Reportable Segment
Net assets of reportable segments	18,317					17,231					18,317		17,231
Short-term borrowings	(3,274)					(1,723)					(3,274)		(1,723)
Long-term debt	(7,359)					(8,112)					(7,359)		(8,112)
Corporate	9,429					8,402					9,429		8,402
Total net assets of continuing operations	17,113					15,798					17,113		15,798
Net assets held for sale	0					170					0		170
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers											16,184		15,508		15,392
Long-lived assets	2,778	[1]				2,850	[1]				2,778	[1]	2,850	[1]	2,629	[1]
United States
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers											8,828		8,872		9,136
Long-lived assets	2,145	[1]				2,182	[1]				2,145	[1]	2,182	[1]	1,985	[1]
Europe and Canada
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers											4,313		3,996		3,918
Long-lived assets	413	[1]				487	[1]				413	[1]	487	[1]	464	[1]
Asia Pacific
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers											2,399		2,084		1,873
Long-lived assets	184	[1]				156	[1]				184	[1]	156	[1]	158	[1]
Other Foreign
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers											644		556		465
Long-lived assets	36	[1]				25	[1]				36	[1]	25	[1]	22	[1]
Cardiac and Vascular Group
Segment Reporting Information
Net Sales											8,482		8,119		8,132
Earnings before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Reportable segments' earnings before income taxes											2,772		2,826		2,910
Net Assets by Reportable Segment
Net assets of reportable segments	7,004					6,681					7,004		6,681
Restorative Therapies Group
Segment Reporting Information
Net Sales											7,702		7,389		7,260
Earnings before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Reportable segments' earnings before income taxes											2,103		2,085		2,024
Net Assets by Reportable Segment
Net assets of reportable segments	$ 11,313					$ 10,550					$ 11,313		$ 10,550

[1] *  Excludes other long-term instruments, goodwill, other intangible assets, net, and long-term deferred tax assets, net, as applicable.