Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 12,151	$ 11,536
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(6,460)	(6,097)
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill	18,094	17,295
Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill, accumulated write-offs	9,900	9,900
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	6,998
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	0
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(29)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	619
Goodwill Ending Balance	7,588
MedSurg [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	2,877
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	(1,379)
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(3)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	246
Goodwill Ending Balance	1,742
Rhythm and Neuro [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	417
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	1,379
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(22)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	149
Goodwill Ending Balance	1,922
Cardiovascular [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	3,704
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)	0
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(4)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	224
Goodwill Ending Balance	3,923
Goodwill [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	17,488	16,898
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(9,900)	(9,900)
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	486	278
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	120	120
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	9,989	9,386
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(5,145)	(4,880)
Patents [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	517	517
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(388)	(379)
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,645	1,633
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (927)	$ (838)