Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,856	$ 3,389
Cost of products sold	1,209	1,040
Gross profit	2,648	2,349
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,364	1,215
Research and development expenses	366	337
Royalty expense	10	11
Amortization expense	214	203
Contingent consideration net expense (benefit)	17	12
Restructuring net charges (credits)	3	20
Operating expenses	1,973	1,797
Operating income (loss)	675	552
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(69)	(65)
Other, net	2	(43)
Income (loss) before income taxes	608	444
Income tax expense (benefit)	115	131
Net income (loss)	493	314
Preferred stock dividends	0	(14)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Boston Scientific common stockholders	$ 495	$ 300
Net income (loss) per common share — basic	$ 0.34	$ 0.21
Net income (loss) per common share — diluted	$ 0.33	$ 0.21
Weighted-average shares outstanding
Basic	1,468.4	1,435.8
Diluted	1,481.7	1,446.0