Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 15,817	$ 14,843
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(9,988)	(9,173)
Goodwill, Gross	24,287	22,820
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(9,900)	(9,900)
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	174	232
Intangible asset impairment charges	58	132	$ 370
Goodwill (Roll Forward)
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	12,920	11,988
Foreign currency fluctuations and other changes	20	(98)
Goodwill acquired	1,447	1,030
Goodwill, Ending Balance	14,387	12,920	11,988
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]
Future Amortization Expense, Year One	828
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two	757
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three	737
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four	714
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five	690
MedSurg
Goodwill (Roll Forward)
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	4,237	4,246
Foreign currency fluctuations and other changes	0	(10)
Goodwill acquired	1,110	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	5,347	4,237	4,246
Cardiovascular
Goodwill (Roll Forward)
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	8,684	7,741
Foreign currency fluctuations and other changes	20	(88)
Goodwill acquired	337	1,030
Goodwill, Ending Balance	9,041	8,684	$ 7,741
IPR&D
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	54	112
Technology-related
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	120	120
Technology-related
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	13,207	12,397
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(8,101)	(7,378)
Patents
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	480	486
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(387)	(394)
Other intangible assets
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	2,130	1,960
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (1,500)	$ (1,400)