Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and Supplemental Equity Information - Schedule of Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Other (income) expense	$ (3)	$ 0
Income tax expense	52	53
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	(262)	(249)
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Other (income) expense	(4)	0
Income tax expense	2	0
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ (2)	$ 0