-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 BPNQTa2NlHrySb0aH0S/jrflHhKwSPYLTXVfvUWYOZmNzFoKHKAinR9D2QvwzE6M
 sHLiKFKZIcnnACdnb8ncaQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000203077-05-000061.txt : 20051213
<SEC-HEADER>0000203077-05-000061.hdr.sgml : 20051213
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051213163519
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000203077-05-000061
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051212
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051213
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051213

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHAVEZ CHRISTOPHER G
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001192858

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12441
		FILM NUMBER:		051261347

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6501 WINDCREST DR
		STREET 2:		SUITE 100
		CITY:			PLANO
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75024

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>2005-12-12</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001192858</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CHAVEZ CHRISTOPHER G</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ST. JUDE MEDICAL, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE LILLEHEI PLAZA</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, ANS Division</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>No St. Jude Medical, Inc. securities are beneficially owned (i.e., tables I and II are not applicable).</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Kevin T. O'Malley as Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-12-13</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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