Segment Reporting (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2024 USD ($) reportablesegments	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | reportablesegments			2
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Amortization expense	$ (205)	$ (208)	$ (631)	$ (620)
Operating income (loss)	733	693	1,928	1,759
Other expense, net	(65)	(83)	(231)	(279)
Income (loss) before income taxes	669	610	1,697	1,480
Impact of Foreign Currency Fluctuations on Net Sales	30	28	68	130
Net sales	4,209	3,527	12,186	10,515
MedSurg
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	509	455	1,494	1,322
Revenues from contracts with customers, disaggregated - performance measurement	$ 1,470	$ 1,332	$ 4,352	$ 3,943
Segment operating income as percentage of net sales	34.60%	34.20%	34.30%	33.50%
Net sales	$ 1,479	$ 1,341	$ 4,373	$ 3,981
Cardiovascular
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Operating Income Allocated to Reportable Segments	842	579	2,256	1,714
Revenues from contracts with customers, disaggregated - performance measurement	$ 2,709	$ 2,167	$ 7,767	$ 6,442
Segment operating income as percentage of net sales	31.10%	26.70%	29.00%	26.60%
Net sales	$ 2,731	$ 2,185	$ 7,813	$ 6,534
BSX Reportable Segments [Member]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Revenues from contracts with customers, disaggregated - performance measurement	4,179	3,498	12,118	10,385
Total allocated to reportable segments [Member]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Operating income (loss)	1,350	1,034	3,750	3,036
Corporate expenses and currency exchange [Member]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Operating Income Unallocated to Segment	(203)	(115)	(472)	(288)
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges, acquisition/divestiture-related net (charges) credits, restructuring- and restructuring-related net (charges) credits, EU MDR implementation costs and litigation-related net (charges) credits
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Operating Income Unallocated to Segment	$ (209)	$ (19)	$ (719)	$ (370)