Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 198	$ 67
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	14,178		$ 14,299
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(7,328)		(7,195)
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill	20,541		20,858
Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill, accumulated write-offs	(9,900)		(9,900)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	10,176
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(78)
Goodwill Ending Balance	10,098
MedSurg [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	2,061
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(13)
Goodwill Ending Balance	2,049
Rhythm and Neuro [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	2,192
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	2,191
Cardiovascular [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	5,676
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(55)
Goodwill Ending Balance	5,621
Specialty Pharmaceuticals [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	247
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(9)
Goodwill Ending Balance	238
Goodwill [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	19,998		20,076
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)	423		662
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	11,906		12,020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(5,806)		(5,706)
Patents [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	525		525
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(409)		(408)
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,748		1,754
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (1,113)		$ (1,081)