Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 26, 2013	Apr. 27, 2012	Apr. 29, 2011
Operating Activities:
Net earnings	$ 3,467	$ 3,617	$ 3,096
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	819	833	804
Amortization of debt discount and issuance	104	85	171
Gain on sale of Physio-Control	0	(218)	0
Acquisition-related items	(74)	45	44
Provision for doubtful accounts	51	66	47
Deferred income taxes	(7)	14	153
Stock-based compensation	152	161	198
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	1	(252)	(342)
Inventories	93	(185)	(101)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	422	300	(37)
Other operating assets and liabilities	(215)	155	(532)
Certain litigation charges, net	245	90	245
Certain litigation payments	(175)	(241)	(5)
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,883	4,470	3,741
Investing Activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(820)	(556)	(1,332)
Proceeds from divestiture of Physio-Control	0	386	0
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(457)	(484)	(501)
Purchases of marketable securities	(12,321)	(9,704)	(9,043)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities	10,511	7,717	9,318
Other investing activities, net	(14)	(21)	(176)
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,101)	(2,662)	(1,734)
Financing Activities:
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	(18)	(118)	0
Change in short-term borrowings, net	(720)	165	619
Repayment of short-term borrowings (maturities greater than 90 days)	(2,700)	(3,275)	(1,325)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings (maturities greater than 90 days)	2,628	2,525	2,327
Issuance of long-term debt	2,980	1,210	1,000
Payments on long-term debt	(2,214)	(24)	(2,603)
Dividends to shareholders	(1,055)	(1,021)	(969)
Issuance of common stock	267	96	85
Repurchase of common stock	(1,247)	(1,440)	(1,140)
Other financing activities	(22)	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(2,101)	(1,882)	(2,006)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	7	(71)	62
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(312)	(145)	63
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,172	1,317	1,254
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	860	1,172	1,317
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Income taxes	537	454	826
Interest	$ 333	$ 312	$ 292