Fair Value Measurements, Fair Value Measured on Nonrecurring Basis and Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 25, 2014	Jul. 26, 2013	Apr. 25, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Aggregate carrying amount of investments in equity and other securities that are accounted for using the cost or equity method	$ 618		$ 666
Carrying amount of goodwill	10,696		10,593
Acquisition-related items	41	(96)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	2,225
Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value
Long-term debt, fair value	11,873		11,856
Long-term debt, principal value	11,375		11,375
Nonrecurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Aggregate carrying amount of investments in equity and other securities that are accounted for using the cost or equity method	618		666
Carrying amount of goodwill	10,696		10,593
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	2,225		2,167
Impairment of Property, Plant and Equipment	9
Nonrecurring | China Kanghui Holdings [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying amount of goodwill	410
Nonrecurring | Cardiocom [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying amount of goodwill	123
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	116		119
In Process Research and Development [Member] | Nonrecurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 116		$ 119