Segment and Geographic Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Oct. 26, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011	Oct. 26, 2012	Oct. 28, 2011	Apr. 27, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 4,095	$ 4,023	$ 8,103	$ 7,969
Earnings before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Reportable segments' earnings before income taxes	1,221	1,121	2,448	2,321
Certain litigation charges, net	(245)	0	(245)	0
Acquisition-related items	(6)	24	(11)	16
Interest expense, net	(24)	(38)	(57)	(70)
Corporate	(92)	(64)	(193)	(206)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	854	1,043	1,942	2,061
Net Assets by Reportable Segment
Net assets of reportable segments	18,208		18,208		18,317
Short-term borrowings	(4,097)		(4,097)		(3,274)
Long-term debt	(7,355)		(7,355)		(7,359)
Corporate	10,419		10,419		9,429
Total net assets	17,175		17,175		17,113
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers	4,095	4,023	8,103	7,969
United States
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers	2,289	2,237	4,516	4,383
Europe and Canada
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers	970	1,027	1,978	2,091
Asia Pacific
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers	655	603	1,266	1,186
Other Foreign
Geographic Information
Net sales to external customers	181	156	343	309
Cardiac and Vascular Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	2,137	2,098	4,252	4,201
Earnings before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Reportable segments' earnings before income taxes	668	640	1,406	1,350
Net Assets by Reportable Segment
Net assets of reportable segments	6,880		6,880		7,004
Restorative Therapies Group
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	1,958	1,925	3,851	3,768
Earnings before Income Taxes by Reportable Segment
Reportable segments' earnings before income taxes	553	481	1,042	971
Net Assets by Reportable Segment
Net assets of reportable segments	$ 11,328		$ 11,328		$ 11,313

Net assets and liabilities included in the statement of financial position of the reporting entity.

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Total assets pertaining to company's corporate operations.

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Corporate overhead expenses

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Net amount of interest expense or income. Interest expense includes the expense associated with the interest paid on outstanding borrowings, including short- and long-term instruments, and the amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts. Interest income includes interest earned on cash and cash equivalents, short- and long-term investments, the net realized gains or losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities, and the net realized and unrealized gains or losses on trading securities.

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The following items are included within acquisition-related items: For business combinations prior to FY09, the amount of the purchase price that is allocated to in-process research and development (IPR&D) was expensed in the period acquired. Similarly, for transactions other than a business combination, such as asset acquisitions, IPR&D is expensed in the period acquired. Additionally, the change in the fair value of the contingent milestone consideration for the reporting period and certain-related acquisition costs, such as banker fees, legal fees, severance, and other professional fees.

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Amount of income (loss) before income taxes for the reportable segments.

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Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the sum of short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, which are due within one year (or one business cycle if longer).

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The net proceeds or assets obtained in excess of (less than) the net carrying amount of assets recorded, or assets distributed and liabilities assumed less than (in excess of) estimated litigation liability extinguished, in settlement of a litigation matter. Represents (for other than an insurance entity in its normal claims settlement process), the amount of income (expense) recognized in the period to settle pending or threatened litigation and insurance claims.

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Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

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Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer plus capital lease obligations due to be paid more than one year after the balance sheet date.

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Amount of revenue from external customers for the reportable segment. Such disclosure is presented if the amount is: (a) included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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Amount of net assets (total assets less total liabilities) attributed to the reportable segment.

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