Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) reportablesegments	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments \| reportablesegments	3
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 2,493	$ 2,379
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	686	703
Amortization expense	(160)	(141)
Operating income (loss)	541	407
Other expense, net	(84)	(84)
Income (loss) before income taxes	457	323
MedSurg [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	766	711
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	$ 256	$ 259
Segment Operating Income as a Percentage of Net Sales	33.40%	36.40%
Rhythm and Neuro [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 757	$ 736
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	$ 155	$ 153
Segment Operating Income as a Percentage of Net Sales	20.50%	20.80%
Cardiovascular [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 972	$ 933
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	$ 275	$ 290
Segment Operating Income as a Percentage of Net Sales	28.30%	31.10%
Corporate expenses and currency exchange [Member]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	$ (48)	$ (100)
Special Charges [Member]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated	$ 63	$ (54)

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