Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings before noncontrolling interest	$ 256us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 239us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	1	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net of taxes of $5 million	29	0
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(127)	10
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(97)	10
Total comprehensive income before noncontrolling interest	159	249
Total comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(6)	(10)
Total comprehensive income attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 165us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 259us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to noncontrolling interests. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, of appreciation (loss) in value of unsold available-for-sale securities. Excludes amounts related to other than temporary impairment (OTTI) loss.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges and an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gain (loss).

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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