Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) reportablesegments	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Segment Reporting (Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | reportablesegments			3
Net sales
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 2,490	$ 2,257	$ 4,870	$ 4,418
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	734	643	1,436	1,199
Amortization expense	(147)	(142)	(288)	(285)
Operating income (loss)	392	225	799	589
Other expense, net	(45)	(134)	(129)	(193)
Income (loss) before income taxes	347	91	670	396
Cardiovascular [Member]
Net sales
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	965	876	1,898	1,728
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	$ 300	$ 262	$ 590	$ 494
Segment Operating Income as a Percentage of Net Sales	31.10%	29.80%	31.10%	28.60%
Rhythm and Neuro [Member]
Net sales
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	$ 775	$ 700	$ 1,512	$ 1,368
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	$ 160	$ 137	$ 313	$ 246
Segment Operating Income as a Percentage of Net Sales	20.60%	19.60%	20.70%	18.00%
MedSurg [Member]
Net sales
Net sales allocated to reportable segments	$ 751	$ 680	$ 1,462	$ 1,321
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	$ 273	$ 244	$ 532	$ 459
Segment Operating Income as a Percentage of Net Sales	36.40%	35.80%	36.40%	34.70%
Corporate expenses and currency exchange [Member]
Net sales
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	$ (100)	$ (56)	$ (200)	$ (115)
Special Charges [Member]
Net sales
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	$ (95)	$ (220)	$ (149)	$ (210)