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		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other (income) expense	$ 2	$ 12	$ 58	$ 9
Cost of sales	495	425	1,478	1,244
Income tax expense	33	46	106	110
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	(212)	(215)	(545)	(767)
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	(11)	0	(18)
Income tax expense	0	4	0	7
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	0	(7)	0	(11)
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	7	(4)	1	(8)
Income tax expense	(3)	0	(1)	0
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$ 4	$ (4)	$ 0	$ (8)