Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 37	$ 34	$ 105	$ 35
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	12,495		12,495		$ 12,383
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(6,844)		(6,844)		(6,617)
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill	19,187		19,187		18,417
Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill, accumulated write-offs	9,900		9,900		9,900
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			7,911
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			1
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			540
Goodwill Ending Balance	8,451		8,451
MedSurg [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			2,063
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(1)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			0
Goodwill Ending Balance	2,061		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			271
Goodwill Ending Balance	2,194		2,194
Cardiovascular [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			3,925
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			2
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			270
Goodwill Ending Balance	4,196		4,196
Goodwill [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	18,351		18,351		17,811
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(9,900)		(9,900)		(9,900)
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	715		715		486
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	120		120		120
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	10,291		10,291		10,197
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(5,425)		(5,425)		(5,266)
Patents [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	521		521		520
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(401)		(401)		(393)
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,683		1,683		1,666
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (1,018)		$ (1,018)		$ (958)