Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	$ 34	$ 37	$ 233	$ 105
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	14,128		14,128		$ 14,299
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(7,511)		(7,511)		(7,195)
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, including goodwill	20,543		20,543		20,858
Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill, accumulated write-offs	(9,900)		(9,900)		(9,900)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			10,176
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(75)
Goodwill Ending Balance	10,101		10,101
MedSurg [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			2,061
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(8)
Goodwill Ending Balance	2,053		2,053
Rhythm and Neuro [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			2,192
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			1
Goodwill Ending Balance	2,193		2,193
Cardiovascular [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			5,676
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(58)
Goodwill Ending Balance	5,617		5,617
Specialty Pharmaceuticals [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance			247
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments			(10)
Goodwill Ending Balance	237		237
Goodwill [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	20,001		20,001		20,076
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(9,900)		(9,900)		(9,900)
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	423		423		662
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	120		120		120
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	11,856		11,856		12,020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(5,954)		(5,954)		(5,706)
Patents [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	519		519		525
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(409)		(409)		(408)
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,753		1,753		1,754
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (1,147)		$ (1,147)		$ (1,081)