v3.7.0.1
Debt and Lines of Credit (Details)
$ in Millions
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Jan. 04, 2017
USD ($)
Feb. 29, 2016
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2017
USD ($)
NotesSeries
Dec. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Debt Instrument        
Number of series of existing notes | NotesSeries     5  
Total, net of current maturities     $ 23,764.0 $ 20,681.0
Short-term debt outstanding     207.0 $ 1,322.0
2.00% Senior Notes Due 2018        
Debt Instrument        
Debt issued - principal amount     $ 473.8  
Interest rate percentage     2.00%  
2.80% Senior Notes Due 2020        
Debt Instrument        
Debt issued - principal amount     $ 483.7  
Interest rate percentage     2.80%  
3.25% Senior Notes Due 2023        
Debt Instrument        
Debt issued - principal amount     $ 818.4  
Interest rate percentage     3.25%  
3.875% Senior Notes Due 2025        
Debt Instrument        
Debt issued - principal amount     $ 490.7  
Interest rate percentage     3.875%  
4.75% Senior Notes Due 2043        
Debt Instrument        
Debt issued - principal amount     $ 639.1  
Interest rate percentage     4.75%  
Senior Notes        
Debt Instrument        
Debt issued - principal amount     $ 2,900.0  
Debt exchange costs     0.0  
Senior Notes | St Jude Medical        
Debt Instrument        
Debt outstanding     194.2  
Term Loan Due 2020        
Debt Instrument        
Repayments of debt     2,300.0  
Yen Denominated Notes        
Debt Instrument        
Repayments of debt     179.0  
Yen Denominated Credit Facilities        
Debt Instrument        
Repayments of debt     55.0  
Commercial Paper        
Debt Instrument        
Repayments of debt     $ 220.0  
364-day Yen-denominated debt        
Debt Instrument        
Maturity period     364 days  
Short-term debt outstanding     $ 198.0  
Yen-denominated short-term debt        
Debt Instrument        
Debt paid off     479.0  
364-day senior unsecured bridge term loan facility | Unfunded Loan Commitment        
Debt Instrument        
Maturity period   364 days    
Maximum borrowing capacity   $ 9,000.0    
Maximum extension period available automatically   90 days    
120-day bridge loan | St Jude Medical        
Debt Instrument        
Repayments of debt     $ 2,000.0  
Maturity period 120 days      
Proceeds from bridge loan $ 2,000.0