Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 14,351	$ 13,345
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(8,476)	(7,806)
Goodwill, Gross	21,888	19,924
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	(9,900)	(9,973)
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	246	377
Intangible asset impairment charges	370	460	$ 105
Goodwill (Roll Forward)
Goodwill	11,988	9,951	10,176
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(27)	22
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	2,064
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0	(73)	0
Goodwill, Transfers		(175)
Other Intangible Assets (Textuals) [Abstract]
Future Amortization Expense, Year One	752
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two	738
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three	703
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four	644
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five	620
MedSurg [Member]
Goodwill (Roll Forward)
Goodwill	2,598	2,059	2,061
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(5)	(2)
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	544
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		0
Goodwill, Transfers		0
Rhythm and Neuro [Member]
Goodwill (Roll Forward)
Goodwill	3,503	2,194	2,192
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(1)	3
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	1,309
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		0
Goodwill, Transfers		0
Cardiovascular [Member]
Goodwill (Roll Forward)
Goodwill	5,887	5,697	5,676
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(21)	22
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	210
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		0
Goodwill, Transfers		0
Specialty Pharmaceuticals [Member]
Goodwill (Roll Forward)
Goodwill	0	0	$ 247
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0	0
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss		(73)
Goodwill, Transfers		(175)
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	126	257
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	120	120
Technology-Based Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	11,957	11,059
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(6,754)	(6,179)
Patents [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	494	511
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(398)	(407)
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,900	1,775
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (1,325)	$ (1,220)