-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 ECpbVP+9URVMi4XUBLbGqsgn/AfGwdduT2uEJEuLJI6V0IaRsleweu6AbMunXK1S
 vjv4q6rDUGFMfCy+5pyHJw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000203077-04-000102.txt : 20040830
<SEC-HEADER>0000203077-04-000102.hdr.sgml : 20040830
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040830111138
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000203077-04-000102
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040712
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040830
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040830

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BUCKMAN PAUL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001215243

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12441
		FILM NUMBER:		041004161

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6354 OXBOW BEND
		CITY:			CHANHASSEN
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55317
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9493692101

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ST JUDE MEDICAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000203077
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTROMEDICAL & ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS [3845]
		IRS NUMBER:				411276891
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE LILLEHEI PLAZA
		CITY:			ST PAUL
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55117
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6514832000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE LILLEHEI PLAZA
		CITY:			ST PAUL
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55117
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-07-12</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000203077</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ST JUDE MEDICAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>STJ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001215243</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BUCKMAN PAUL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE LILLEHEI PLAZA</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ST. PAUL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55117</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, Cardiology Division</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Right to Buy</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>72.01</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-07-12</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-07-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>46800</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The shares granted will vest 25% per year for four years.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kevin T. O'Malley as attorney in fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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