Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Supplemental Equity Information - Schedule of Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 04, 2015	Jun. 28, 2014	Jul. 04, 2015	Jun. 28, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other (income) expense	$ 0	$ 1	$ (3)	$ 1
Income tax expense	12	22	64	75
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	290	270	552	519
Cost of Goods Sold	424	433	819	816
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other (income) expense	(3)	0	(7)	0
Income tax expense	1	0	3	0
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	(2)	0	(4)	0
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	(4)	0	(4)	0
Cost of Goods Sold	$ 4	$ 0	$ 4	$ 0