Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 13,588		$ 13,345
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(7,975)		(7,806)
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	377		377
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	0	$ 198
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	9,951
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(6)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	924
Goodwill Ending Balance	10,868		9,951
MedSurg [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	2,059
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(3)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	2,056		2,059
Rhythm and Neuro [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	2,194
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(1)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	924
Goodwill Ending Balance	3,117		2,194
Cardiovascular [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill Beginning Balance	5,697
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(2)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill Ending Balance	5,695		5,697
Specialty Pharmaceuticals [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss			73
Goodwill [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	20,768		19,924
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(9,900)		(9,973)
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	257		257
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	120		120
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	11,279		11,059
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(6,325)		(6,179)
Patents [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	499		511
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(397)		(407)
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,810		1,775
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (1,252)		$ (1,220)