Net Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 223	$ 212
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	285.3	315.7
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	287.4	317.7
Basic net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 0.78	$ 0.67
Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 0.78	$ 0.67
Common stock subject to stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units excluded from the diluted net earnings per share computation	10.9	13.8
Employee Stock Options [Member]
Net Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities	1.9	1.8
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Net Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities	0.2	0.2