Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 14,240	$ 12,682	$ 11,888
Cost of products sold	4,345	3,956	3,711
Gross profit	9,896	8,727	8,177
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	5,190	4,520	4,359
Research and development expenses	1,414	1,323	1,204
Royalty expense	46	47	49
Amortization expense	828	803	741
Intangible asset impairment charges	58	132	370
Contingent consideration net expense (benefit)	58	35	(136)
Restructuring net charges (credits)	69	24	40
Litigation-related net charges (credits)	(111)	173	430
Loss (Gain) on Disposal of Businesses and Assets	0	22	(78)
Operating expenses	7,553	7,078	6,978
Operating income (loss)	2,343	1,649	1,199
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(265)	(470)	(341)
Other, net	(93)	(38)	218
Income (loss) before income taxes	1,985	1,141	1,076
Income tax expense (benefit)	393	443	36
Net income (loss)	1,592	698	1,041
Preferred stock dividends	23	55	55
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Boston Scientific common stockholders	$ 1,570	$ 642	$ 985
Net income (loss) per common share — basic	$ 1.08	$ 0.45	$ 0.69
Net income (loss) per common share — diluted	$ 1.07	$ 0.45	$ 0.69
Weighted-average shares outstanding
Basic	1,453,000	1,430,500	1,422,300
Diluted	1,463,500	1,439,700	1,433,800