Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2012		Apr. 29, 2011		Apr. 30, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 16,184		$ 15,508		$ 15,392
Costs and expenses:
Cost of products sold	3,889		3,700		3,582
Research and development expense	1,490		1,472		1,424
Selling, general, and administrative expense	5,623		5,427		5,282
Restructuring charges, net	87		259		50
Certain litigation charges, net	90		245		374
Acquisition-related items	12		14		23
Amortization of intangible assets	335		339		317
Other expense, net	364		110		150
Interest expense, net	149		278		246
Total costs and expenses	12,039		11,844		11,448
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	4,145		3,664		3,944
Provision for income taxes	730		609		861
Earnings from continuing operations	3,415		3,055		3,083
Discontinued operations, net of tax:
Earnings from operations of Physio-Control	32		43		16
Physio-Control divestiture-related costs	(34)		(2)		0
Gain on sale of Physio-Control	204		0		0
Earnings from discontinued operations	202		41		16
Net earnings	$ 3,617		$ 3,096		$ 3,099
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings from continuing operations (per share)	$ 3.24		$ 2.84		$ 2.79
Net earnings (per share)	$ 3.43	[1]	$ 2.87	[1]	$ 2.80	[1]
Diluted earnings per share:
Earnings from continuing operations (per share)	$ 3.22		$ 2.82		$ 2.78
Net earnings (per share)	$ 3.41		$ 2.86		$ 2.79
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	1,053.9		1,077.4		1,106.3
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	1,059.9		1,081.7		1,109.4
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.97		$ 0.90		$ 0.82

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