| **Net Earnings Per Share**        | 6 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
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| **Earnings Per Share [Abstract]** |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| Net Earnings Per Share            | NET EARNINGS PER SHAREThe table below sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. (in millions, except per share amounts): Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 28, 2014 June 29, 2013 June 28, 2014 June 29, 2013Numerator:       Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.$270 $115 $519 $338Denominator:       Basic weighted average shares outstanding284.2 283.9 284.3 284.6Dilution associated with stock-based compensation plans4.7 2.8 4.8 2.5Diluted weighted average shares outstanding288.9 286.7 289.1 287.1Basic net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.$0.95 $0.41 $1.83 $1.19Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.$0.93 $0.40 $1.80 $1.18Approximately 2.7 million and 3.1 million shares of common stock subject to stock options and restricted stock units were excluded from the diluted net earnings per share computation for the three months ended June 28, 2014 and June 29, 2013, respectively, because they were not dilutive. Additionally, approximately 1.3 million and 7.0 million shares of common stock subject to stock options and restricted stock units were excluded from the diluted net earnings per share computation for the six months ended June 28, 2014 and June 29, 2013, respectively, because they were not dilutive. |

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The entire disclosure for earnings per share.
+ References
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