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Derivatives and Foreign Exchange Risk Management, Credit Risk and Other Disclosures (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 23, 2015
Jan. 23, 2015
Jan. 24, 2014
Apr. 25, 2014
customer
Concentration Risk [Line Items]        
Currency exchange rate gains/(losses) $ 27us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesRecordedInEarningsNet $ 29us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesRecordedInEarningsNet $ 3us-gaap_GainLossOnForeignCurrencyDerivativesRecordedInEarningsNet  
Cash collateral received 304mdt_DerivativeAssetsandLiabilitiesNetCollateralObligationtoReturnCash 304mdt_DerivativeAssetsandLiabilitiesNetCollateralObligationtoReturnCash   0mdt_DerivativeAssetsandLiabilitiesNetCollateralObligationtoReturnCash
Customer Concentration Risk | Accounts Receivable        
Concentration Risk [Line Items]        
Concentration risk, number of customers   0mdt_ConcentrationRiskNumberOfCustomers
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember
  0mdt_ConcentrationRiskNumberOfCustomers
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= us-gaap_AccountsReceivableMember
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_CustomerConcentrationRiskMember
Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece        
Concentration Risk [Line Items]        
Accounts receivable net of allowance 535us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mdt_PortugalItalyGreeceAndSpainMember
535us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mdt_PortugalItalyGreeceAndSpainMember
  628us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNet
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= mdt_PortugalItalyGreeceAndSpainMember
Greece        
Concentration Risk [Line Items]        
Deferred revenue 19us-gaap_DeferredRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_GR
19us-gaap_DeferredRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_GR
  15us-gaap_DeferredRevenue
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_GR
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Contracts        
Concentration Risk [Line Items]        
Derivative, notional amount $ 6,121invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
$ 6,121invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
  8,051invest_DerivativeNotionalAmount
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember