Net Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Net Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 115	$ 244	$ 338	$ 456
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	283.9	313.9	284.6	314.8
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	286.7	315.2	287.1	316.4
Basic net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 0.41	$ 0.78	$ 1.19	$ 1.45
Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 0.40	$ 0.78	$ 1.18	$ 1.44
Common stock subject to stock options and restricted stock units excluded from the diluted net earnings per share computation	3.1	20.2	7.0	17.0
Employee Stock Options [Member]
Net Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities	2.5	1.1	2.2	1.5
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Net Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Effect of dilutive securities	0.3	0.2	0.3	0.1