CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2014	Apr. 27, 2013	Apr. 28, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 200,612	$ 210,272	$ 212,815
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	27,113	25,720	25,254
Amortization	22,873	20,282	16,955
Bad debt expense	3,220	1,119	2,445
Non-cash employee compensation	20,018	35,202	13,371
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(1,290)	(2,487)	(1,371)
Non-cash charges related to medical divestitures	13,842
Deferred income taxes	7,765	7,049	89
Change in assets and liabilities net of acquired:
Decrease (increase) in receivables	(50,756)	17,226	468
Decrease (increase) in inventory	(36,019)	(39,096)	16,859
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable	12,345	41,347	(6,847)
(Decrease) increase in accrued liabilities	14,125	(21,767)	37,948
Decrease (increase) in long-term receivables	(5,108)	27	(1,766)
Other changes from operating activities, net	(32,904)	4,301	4,938
Net cash provided by operating activities	195,836	299,195	321,158
Investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment, net of acquisitions	(40,387)	(21,983)	(29,650)
Acquisitions and equity investments, net of cash	(145,815)	(14,650)	(22,620)
Proceeds from sale	6,546
Purchase of investment	(99,672)
Other investing activities	(4,436)	6,595
Net cash used in investing activities	(283,764)	(30,038)	(52,270)
Financing activities:
Dividends paid	(85,657)	(43,767)	(54,741)
Repurchases of common stock	(96,486)	(179,525)	(362,379)
ESOP activity	435	1,576	931
Common stock issued, net	20,217	13,131	13,621
Retirement of long term debt		(125,000)
Debt issuance cost			(1,862)
Payment to revolver	(135,000)		(20,000)
Draw on revolver	135,000		20,000
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			325,000
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	1,290	2,487	1,371
Net cash used in financing activities	(160,201)	(331,098)	(78,059)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	7,809	(6,612)	(5,713)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(240,320)	(68,553)	185,116
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	505,228	573,781	388,665
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	264,908	505,228	573,781
Supplemental disclosures:
Income taxes paid	108,374	124,146	81,959
Interest paid	34,933	35,965	24,868
Repurchases of common stock with liability due to broker		$ 2,707	$ 475