EXHIBIT 32.2



                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Annual Report of St. Jude Medical, Inc. (the "Company")
on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2004 as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, John C. Heinmiller, Chief Financial
Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss.1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     1.   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     2.   The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
          material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
          of the Company.



                                      /s/ JOHN C. HEINMILLER
                                      --------------------------------------
                                      John C. Heinmiller
                                      Executive Vice President and
                                      Chief Financial Officer
                                      March 11, 2005