Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) patents lawsuits	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) patents lawsuits	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Oct. 23, 2018 claims	Sep. 12, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 24, 2014 USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for legal matters that are probable and estimable | $	$ 1,162		$ 1,162				$ 1,612
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents | $	812		812				$ 829
Litigation-related net charges (credits) | $	$ 18	$ (12)	$ 18	$ 196
Product liability lawsuits related to defibrillators or pacemakers | lawsuits	6		6
Suits Pending Against Guidant in Canada and Filed as Class Actions | lawsuits	4		4
Suits Pending Against Guidant in Canada, Pending Outcome of a Lead Class Action | lawsuits	3		3
Suits Pending Against Guidant in Canada, Number of Lead Class Action | lawsuits	1		1
Agreement in principle to settle the defibrillator class action | $								$ 3
Alleged Breach of Purchase Agreement, Amount | $						$ 275
Patents Allegedly Infringed, Number | patents	2		2
Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product					51,000
Putative class actions in the U.S., Mesh					8
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product - Canada					25
Certified class actions in Canada, Mesh					1
Putative class actions in Canada, Mesh					3
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product - United Kingdom					25
Assigned to one judge in MA [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product					3,100
Settled Litigation [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Product liability cases or claims related to mesh product					49,500
Total Product liability cases and claims settled related to Mesh product					30,000