Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 12,258	$ 12,383
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(6,711)	(6,617)
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill	18,980	18,417
Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill, accumulated write-offs	9,900	9,900
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	7,911
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(2)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	271
Goodwill Ending Balance	8,179
MedSurg [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	2,063
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(2)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	2,061
Rhythm and Neuro [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	1,924
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	1,924
Cardiovascular [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	3,925
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(1)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	271
Goodwill Ending Balance	4,195
Goodwill [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	18,079	17,811
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)	781	486
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	10,081	10,197
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(5,327)	(5,266)
Patents [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	521	520
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(397)	(393)
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,656	1,666
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (987)	$ (958)