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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-09-002148.txt : 20090206
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-09-002148.hdr.sgml : 20090206
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090206095014
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-09-002148
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080903
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090206
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090206

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ST JUDE MEDICAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000203077
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTROMEDICAL & ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS [3845]
		IRS NUMBER:				411276891
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE LILLEHEI PLAZA
		CITY:			ST PAUL
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55117
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6514832000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE LILLEHEI PLAZA
		CITY:			ST PAUL
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55117

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GARRETT THOMAS H III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001233304

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12441
		FILM NUMBER:		09574884

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE LILLEHEI PLAZA
		CITY:			BRANCHURG
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08876
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6514832000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE LILLEHEI PLAZA
		CITY:			ST. PAUL
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			53717
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4/A -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-09-03</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2008-09-05</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000203077</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ST JUDE MEDICAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>STJ</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001233304</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GARRETT THOMAS H III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE LILLEHEI PLAZA</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ST. PAUL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55117</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>36690</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Spouse</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This amendment is being filed soley to update the indirect holdings to reflect a 10 share gift that occurred December 4, 2006.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Kashif Rashid, Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-02-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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