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
	Apr. 02, 2016	Apr. 04, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other (income) expense	$ 53	$ (3)
Cost of sales	(487)	(395)
Income tax expense	41	52
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	(95)	(262)
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	0	(4)
Income tax expense	0	2
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	0	(2)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales	(6)	0
Income tax expense	2	0
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ (4)	$ 0