Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 105	$ 35
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	14,290		14,290		$ 12,383
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(6,996)		(6,996)		(6,617)
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill	20,695		20,695		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			2,124
Goodwill Ending Balance	10,015		10,015
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit			(19)
MedSurg [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			2,063
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(3)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			0
Goodwill Ending Balance	2,060		2,060
Rhythm and Neuro [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			1,924
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			0
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			268
Goodwill Ending Balance	2,191		2,191
Cardiovascular [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			3,925
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			2
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			307
Goodwill Ending Balance	4,214		4,214
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit			(19)
BTG Acquisition [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			0
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			1
Goodwill, Acquired During Period			1,549
Goodwill Ending Balance	1,550		1,550
Goodwill [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	19,915		19,915		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)	661		661		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	12,018		12,018		10,197
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(5,545)		(5,545)		(5,266)
Patents [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	524		524		520
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(404)		(404)		(393)
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,748		1,748		1,666
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (1,047)		$ (1,047)		$ (958)