Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 14,106		$ 14,106		$ 14,299
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(7,692)		(7,692)		(7,195)
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	383		383		782
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	219	$ 0	452	$ 105
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			10,176
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(39)
Goodwill Ending Balance	10,137		10,137
MedSurg [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			2,061
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(6)
Goodwill Ending Balance	2,056		2,056
Rhythm and Neuro [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			2,192
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			2
Goodwill Ending Balance	2,194		2,194
Cardiovascular [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			5,676
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(29)
Goodwill Ending Balance	5,646		5,646
Specialty Pharmaceuticals [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			247
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(7)
Goodwill Ending Balance	241		241
Goodwill [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	20,037		20,037		20,076
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)	263		263		662
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	11,834		11,834		12,020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(6,102)		(6,102)		(5,706)
Patents [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	514		514		525
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(407)		(407)		(408)
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,758		1,758		1,754
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (1,183)		$ (1,183)		$ (1,081)