Basis of Presentation Pension Termination charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Pension termination charges	$ 0	$ 36	$ 0	$ 44

Pension termination charges - This item represents charges associated with the termination of the Guidant Retirement Plan, a frozen defined benefit plan. These charges are not expected to recur and do not reflect expected on-going operating results.

No definition available.

Name:	bsx_Pensionterminationcharges
Namespace Prefix:	bsx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration