Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2012	Apr. 29, 2011	Apr. 30, 2010
Operating Activities:
Net earnings	$ 3,617	$ 3,096	$ 3,099
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	833	804	772
Amortization of discount on senior convertible notes	85	171	167
Gain on sale of Physio-Control	(218)	0	0
Acquisition-related items	45	44	11
Provision for doubtful accounts	66	47	36
Deferred income taxes	14	153	144
Stock-based compensation	161	198	225
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net	(252)	(342)	(271)
Inventories	(185)	(101)	158
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	300	(37)	225
Other operating assets and liabilities	155	(532)	130
Certain litigation charges, net	90	245	374
Certain litigation payments	(241)	(5)	(939)
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,470	3,741	4,131
Investing Activities:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(556)	(1,332)	(350)
Proceeds from divestiture of Physio-Control	386	0	0
Purchase of intellectual property	(15)	(47)	(62)
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(484)	(501)	(573)
Purchases of marketable securities	(8,080)	(6,249)	(7,478)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities	6,104	6,443	3,791
Other investing activities, net	(6)	(129)	(87)
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,651)	(1,815)	(4,759)
Financing Activities:
Acquisition-related contingent consideration	(118)	0	0
Change in short-term borrowings, net	(585)	1,621	(444)
Issuance of long-term debt	1,210	1,000	3,000
Payments on long-term debt	(24)	(2,603)	(20)
Dividends to shareholders	(1,021)	(969)	(907)
Issuance of common stock	96	85	165
Repurchase of common stock	(1,440)	(1,140)	(1,030)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(1,882)	(2,006)	764
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(71)	62	(7)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(134)	(18)	129
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,382	1,400	1,271
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,248	1,382	1,400
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Income taxes	454	826	571
Interest	346	447	386
Supplemental noncash financing activities:
Reclassification of senior notes from long-term to short-term debt	0	0	400
Reclassification of senior convertible notes from long-term to short-term debt	$ 2,200	$ 0	$ 2,200