Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2013		Apr. 27, 2012		Apr. 29, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 16,590		$ 16,184		$ 15,508
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold	4,126		3,889		3,700
Research and development expense	1,557		1,490		1,472
Selling, general, and administrative expense	5,698		5,623		5,427
Restructuring charges, net	172		87	[1]	259
Certain litigation charges, net	245		90		245
Acquisition-related items	(49)		12		14
Amortization of intangible assets	331		335		339
Other expense, net	108		364		110
Interest expense, net	151		149		278
Total costs and expenses	12,339		12,039		11,844
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	4,251		4,145		3,664
Provision for income taxes	784		730		609
Earnings from continuing operations	3,467		3,415		3,055
Discontinued operations, net of tax:
Earnings from operations of Physio-Control	0		32		43
Physio-Control divestiture-related costs	0		(34)		(2)
Gain on sale of Physio-Control	0		204		0
Earnings from discontinued operations	0		202		41
Net earnings	$ 3,467		$ 3,617		$ 3,096
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings from continuing operations (per share)	$ 3.40		$ 3.24		$ 2.84
Net earnings (per share)	$ 3.40	[2]	$ 3.43	[2]	$ 2.87	[2]
Diluted earnings per share:
Earnings from continuing operations (per share)	$ 3.37		$ 3.22		$ 2.82
Net earnings (per share)	$ 3.37		$ 3.41		$ 2.86
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	1,019.3		1,053.9		1,077.4
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	1,027.5		1,059.9		1,081.7
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 1.04		$ 0.97		$ 0.90

[1] For fiscal years 2013 and 2011, restructuring charges, net within this table include the impact of amounts recorded within cost of products sold in the consolidated statements of earnings related to the fiscal year 2013 initiative and fiscal year 2011 initiative, respectively.

[2] All earnings per share amounts have been rounded to the nearest $0.01, and therefore, may not sum.